Narrabri Shire Council will seek an urgent meeting with NSW government authorities to address land erosion concerns downstream of the Doctors Creek Bridge.
Significant erosion occurred following a heavy rainfall event in February 2020.
The northern bank, which joins the land where Wee Waa Road business SprayerBarn is located, has worsened following that deluge last year.
Councillor Maxine Booby introduced a notice of motion at last Tuesday afternoon’s council meeting to continue drawing attention to the issue.
Elected members heard that council has been attempting to address its erosion concerns with government departments to no success.
In Cr Booby’s motion, she asked council to seek an urgent meeting with all appropriate NSW government authorities regarding the land erosion.
Cr Booby also asked that the previous report on the Doctors Creek bank erosion be examined in conjunction with a proposed solution to the erosion issues.
“There is huge erosion and it’s still ongoing,” Cr Booby said.
“Another bank has started to collapse on the town side.
“We need to find a solution. It’s going to get worse.”
Cr Booby voiced concern that a wet spring could cause the erosion to deteriorate.
Cr Lloyd Finlay seconded Cr Booby’s notice of motion and said worsening land erosion was not a matter of it but when.
“It’s just got to be fixed,” Cr Finlay said.
Acting director of infrastructure delivery, Eloise Chaplain, said council had been in contact with various government authorities including the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment and Local Land Services.
Council has since escalated the issue to the Department of Premier and Cabinet in an attempt to get the issue addressed.
Ms Chaplain told the meeting council had not been getting any answers from government departments.
“I’m worried about who owns the issue,” she said.
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