Raising Clarrie Hall Dam
To provide for our growing population, Tweed Shire Council is sustainably upgrading and expanding our water and wastewater systems. This involves projects to secure a sustainable water supply so the Tweed’s people and places can thrive.
One of those projects is raising the Clarrie Hall Dam wall. In December 2015, Council resolved to undertake the planning and land acquisition for the proposed raising of the dam.
It is proposed to raise the dam wall by 8.5 metres to a height of 70 metres Australian Height Datum (AHD RL70). This would:
- increase the size of the dam from 16,000 megalitres (ML) to about 42,300 ML
- secure our water supply until at least 2065.
Current stage of the proposal: Determination of the EIS
The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure publicly exhibited the EIS from 25 September to 6 November 2024. Thank you to everyone who made a submission.
The department is now considering all submissions received before making a recommendation to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, who will decide whether our proposal to raise the dam can go ahead and what conditions would apply.
If the Minister determines the project can proceed, the elected Council would consider consultant recommendations and the Minister’s determination, and decide to proceed on not to proceed. If they decide to proceed, business case planning for detailed design and construction would be undertaken, and approvals and licences for construction finalised.
Why this proposal is needed
Water is an essential service. Reliable access to water offers us a sense of safety at home and is the foundation of a healthy community.
Population growth
Through Council’s water-efficiency initiatives, the average Tweed resident has in recent decades reduced their demand for water by more than 20%. This has allowed Council to service our growing population without increasing the amount of water we draw from the Tweed River.
Currently, Council can meet the demand for water until about 2028. To service the needs of the community after 2028, Council has resolved to undertake the planning and land acquisitions for the proposed raising of Clarrie Hall Dam.
Raising the dam wall will almost treble the dam’s capacity and double its footprint, securing our water supply until at least 2065.
Climate change
Climate change is causing more frequent extreme weather events, including droughts. A larger dam will help reduce the risk of water shortages.
Related water security projects
To ensure our approach to securing a long-term water supply for the Tweed continues to be appropriate, Council has been working with the community to review all its water strategies, including Demand Management (Water Efficiency), Water Augmentation and Drought Management Strategy. A report on these matters was received by Council in March 2021. Council adopted all recommendations made by the community project reference group (PRG).
In 2022, Council revised its Drought and Water Restrictions policy in response to community feedback. The policy is available on Council’s website at tweed.nsw.gov.au/policies.
In September 2023, Council engaged consultant GHD to prepare an Integrated Water Cycle Management (IWCM) Issues Paper. The Issues Paper is expected to be completed in early 2025 and will consider all aspects of Council’s water supply services, infrastructure, performance, asset management, and financial planning. It will also assess Council’s recycled water and demand management strategies.
Bray Park Weir Tidal Protection Project
Most of the Tweed’s tap water is sourced from the Tweed River at the Bray Park Weir.
In addition to causing more frequent extreme weather events, climate change is causing sea levels to rise and reducing the flow of water in the Tweed River. The rise in sea levels is increasing the risk of tidal salt water and sea-level anomalies overtopping the Bray Park Weir, which could affect the quality of our water supply.
Council is developing and assessing options to mitigate this risk. Head to our Bray Park Weir Tidal Protection Project page to find out more.
Water link to City of Gold Coast
The pipeline provides an emergency supply in the event of a gross failure of the Tweed District water supply due to infrastructure failure.
The pipeline does not negate the need to raise Clarrie Hall Dam.
Guest Book
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
Videos
-
Explanatory video about the proposal to raise the wall of Clarrie Hall Dam.
A preliminary study was done some years ago but due to the changes in the energy market and the capacity of the grid to take any electricity generated, the feasibility study needs to be revised. We have asked NSW Public Works Advisory to review the feasibility of hydro generation at Clarrie Hall Dam. - The Project Team.
How about installing hydroelectricity like Grafton council