Consultant kicks off salt water protection investigation

12 February 2019

Specialist water consultant Hunter H2O has been engaged to assess options to protect the Tweed District Water Supply from salt water contamination.

In May last year, Council formed a Project Reference Group to assist it to find a solution to the salt water contamination issue. The group identified a range of options, which the consultant will now assess. Those options include both engineering and non-engineering solutions to the problem.

The Bray Park Weir Tidal Protection Project Reference Group comprises a wide range of community interests including landowners, dairy farmers, canegrowers, businesses that use water as a critical input, ratepayers, recreational fishers and two elected councillors. Throughout, all PRG members have stated that they also speak for the environment.

Last week the consultants met with members of the Project Reference Group to clarify the 10 options identified by the group as likely short-term fixes warranting further investigation.

The consultants have been invited to propose up to three further options for investigation based on their extensive knowledge and expertise.

Hunter H2O will investigate all the options against a set of criteria, which include maintaining the Tweed’s high water quality and security of supply as well as numerous environmental, social and legal considerations.

At the conclusion of its investigations in about four months, Hunter H2O will report back to the Project Reference Group providing them with all the information they need to identify a preferred option to recommend to Council for adoption.

Above: Hunter H2O Project Manager Anne-Marie Turnbull with members of the Project Reference Group from left Dr Pascal Scherrer (Southern Cross University facilitator), Glen Jones, Simon Fitzpatrick, Project Manager Rob Siebert, Hunter H2O Engineer Matthew Bloomfield and Michael McDonald.