Answers sought on Yarrie Lake test bore proposal

My name is Anne Cain and my husband and I are landholders adjoining the Yarrie Lake Flora and Fauna Reserve.

I wish to get some written feedback about the proposed Yarrie Lake Project.

From my understanding funds of a substantial amount have been procured, through a Community Hub grant from Murray Darling Economic Development Projects, to put down a test bore with the intention of pouring sub-artesian water into Yarrie Lake to maintain a level ready for summer water skiers.

It is interesting to note that there has been no mention that the lake is on Crown Land and actually a Flora and Fauna reserve on a natural water course – not a council-owned tourist destination.

The Courier and Wee Waa News have reported this project as a done deal; awaiting only funding.

As a farmer whose property adjoins the lake reserve area, I have some serious concerns and questions that I would like answers to.

1. Yarrie Lake is on a Flora and Fauna Reserve managed by the Crown Lands and a volunteer body of trustees.
Has there been an Environment Impact Study completed to say it is safe to pour large quantities of sub-artesian water into a natural waterway and that this will not impact the natural ecosystems? If so, where can this EIS be accessed?

2. Understandably large quantities of water would be required to do what the project speaks of, what measures and tests will be carried out to make sure the water quality and salinity is considered and that run off, for example in flood events does not negatively impact on surrounding land and water aquafers?

3. Water pumped, for example from mining operations, needs to be put into a lined holding pond to guarantee that it does not contaminate natural water courses. Yarrie Lake is a part of a natural water course, not a self-contained dam or pond.
Will water be directly pumped from this proposed bore, without regulation or testing?

4. Has a licence to pump large quantities of water been purchased?
Despite the official statements that is a test bore only – If you don’t have permission and a licence to pump the water it is irrelevant how much water there is.

5. As the levels of water on a seasonal basis will be increased what thought has been put into flood proofing (eg levees) the surrounding farm land that will obviously have greater occurrence and intensity of flood water damage because of this extra water?

6. What information has been sought regarding the impact of this pumping on the water table?

7. As The Yarrie Lake Flora and Fauna trust is a group of volunteers, who is legally responsible in the event of salinity and other negative impacts caused by irreversible actions of this group?

I have contacted the following bodies about these same issues:

Department of Crown Lands: I first contacted the Department of Crown Lands when the Narrabri Collins Park Lighting Committee started raising funds in 2017.
I was stunned that at that stage the Department of Crown Lands, which is responsible for Yarrie Lake, had not received any Developmental plans and I was assured that a meeting to address local and adjoining landholders’ concerns as well as substantial viability studies, including an Environmental impact Statement, would be completed before any processes would happen. Further response is currently being sought.

Water NSW – requesting clarification of what regulations and requirements must be met for water pumping of sub-artestian water etc.

Dept of Planning, Industry and Environment, Adam Marshall, NSW Minister for Agriculture, Mark Coulton, Member for Parkes, Yarrie Lake Flora and Fauna Trust, Keith Pitt, Minister for Resources, Russell Stewart, Narrabri Chamber of Commerce, John Tully, Wee Waa Chamber of Commerce, Roy Butler Member for Barwon.

I am not a vigilante rabble-rouser intent on causing trouble for trouble’s sake.

These are serious concerns and I feel that they need addressing before $450,000 is wasted on a project that is not only not viable but may be detrimental to a beautiful part of our shire.

Anne Cain, Yarrie Lake