Raising Clarrie Hall Dam - Environmental Impact Assessment

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Project update 26 February 2024.

As many as 50 people dropped into the Uki and Murwillumbah community information sessions held in early February to learn the latest on Council’s proposal to raise Clarrie Hall Dam.

The team completing the final stages of the environmental impact assessment into raising the dam were on hand to answer questions and discuss all aspects of the proposal. The conversations have informed the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that’s being prepared.

The EIS is the key requirement of the NSW Government before it can determine whether the project can go ahead. If NSW Government approval is given, the project will then be considered by Council which will make the final decision about whether or not to proceed with the next stage of the project.

The community can still ask questions and register to receive project updates, including notifications about the upcoming EIS exhibition period.


Council is proposing to raise Clarrie Hall dam to increase the Tweed District water supply, ensuring the community has a safe and reliable water supply beyond 2028.


Council needs to take action to secure the Shire’s water supply. After investigating a range of options, a suitable option for increasing water supply was identified: raising the height of Clarrie Hall Dam by 8.5 metres.

The proposal to raise the dam is to be assessed by the New South Wales (NSW) Government as State Significant Infrastructure. Assessment involves preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and seeking NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces approval for the proposal.

Independent consultant KBR is preparing the EIS and they will:

  • finalise studies including cultural heritage, biodiversity, flooding, water quality, hydrology, traffic and road safety, noise, air quality, social impact and climate change.
  • investigate the potential impacts of constructing and operating the dam and the management of these impacts including proposing suitable mitigations

The raising of Clarrie Hall Dam is occurring alongside other water security initiatives by Council that aim to secure a safe, sustainable and affordable water supply until at least 2065.

Previous consultation with the community

Residents, members of the local Aboriginal community, government agencies, businesses and industry were consulted as early as 2009 to identify suitable ways to increase the Tweed’s water supply. Raising Clarrie Hall Dam was considered the most suitable option as an outcome of that consultation.

Community feedback has influenced other decisions to date including the design of McCabes Bridge, required to maintain resident access to Commissioners Creek and the Crams Farm public recreational area, and options for managing catchment lands purchased by Council.

In March 2021, over a three-week period, Council's consultants engaged the community, and this community engagement is continuing.

Council is seeking your input to assist in preparing the EIS

The community is invited to provide input into preparing the EIS. Please contact Council or the EIS team at any time by emailing at tsc@tweed.nsw.gov.au or calling 02 6670 2400.

Impacts identified will be addressed in the EIS document.

The EIS will be on public exhibition for at least 28 days in mid 2024. The community will be invited to make submissions to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment about the proposal.

The Minister, after considering the EIS and any submissions may approve the proposed project and provide the conditions under which the project may progress. Alternatively the Minister may refuse the proposal.

Project update 26 February 2024.

As many as 50 people dropped into the Uki and Murwillumbah community information sessions held in early February to learn the latest on Council’s proposal to raise Clarrie Hall Dam.

The team completing the final stages of the environmental impact assessment into raising the dam were on hand to answer questions and discuss all aspects of the proposal. The conversations have informed the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that’s being prepared.

The EIS is the key requirement of the NSW Government before it can determine whether the project can go ahead. If NSW Government approval is given, the project will then be considered by Council which will make the final decision about whether or not to proceed with the next stage of the project.

The community can still ask questions and register to receive project updates, including notifications about the upcoming EIS exhibition period.


Council is proposing to raise Clarrie Hall dam to increase the Tweed District water supply, ensuring the community has a safe and reliable water supply beyond 2028.


Council needs to take action to secure the Shire’s water supply. After investigating a range of options, a suitable option for increasing water supply was identified: raising the height of Clarrie Hall Dam by 8.5 metres.

The proposal to raise the dam is to be assessed by the New South Wales (NSW) Government as State Significant Infrastructure. Assessment involves preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and seeking NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces approval for the proposal.

Independent consultant KBR is preparing the EIS and they will:

  • finalise studies including cultural heritage, biodiversity, flooding, water quality, hydrology, traffic and road safety, noise, air quality, social impact and climate change.
  • investigate the potential impacts of constructing and operating the dam and the management of these impacts including proposing suitable mitigations

The raising of Clarrie Hall Dam is occurring alongside other water security initiatives by Council that aim to secure a safe, sustainable and affordable water supply until at least 2065.

Previous consultation with the community

Residents, members of the local Aboriginal community, government agencies, businesses and industry were consulted as early as 2009 to identify suitable ways to increase the Tweed’s water supply. Raising Clarrie Hall Dam was considered the most suitable option as an outcome of that consultation.

Community feedback has influenced other decisions to date including the design of McCabes Bridge, required to maintain resident access to Commissioners Creek and the Crams Farm public recreational area, and options for managing catchment lands purchased by Council.

In March 2021, over a three-week period, Council's consultants engaged the community, and this community engagement is continuing.

Council is seeking your input to assist in preparing the EIS

The community is invited to provide input into preparing the EIS. Please contact Council or the EIS team at any time by emailing at tsc@tweed.nsw.gov.au or calling 02 6670 2400.

Impacts identified will be addressed in the EIS document.

The EIS will be on public exhibition for at least 28 days in mid 2024. The community will be invited to make submissions to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment about the proposal.

The Minister, after considering the EIS and any submissions may approve the proposed project and provide the conditions under which the project may progress. Alternatively the Minister may refuse the proposal.

Questions submitted will be answered by the team

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Page last updated: 26 Feb 2024, 03:27 PM