So much has changed in the last decade that it's time to restart the conversation about Tillegra Dam, according to sixth generation Dungog resident Michael Dowling.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Dungog businessman and his family lived through the turmoil which rocked the local community when the dam was first mooted back in 2006 until the divisive issue was suddenly scrapped in late 2010.
"I know what we went through with Tillegra Dam," Mr Dowling, who is the driving force behind the 'We Need Water We Need Tillegra Dam' group, said.
"I believe the mood has changed.
"People's opinions on building dams has drastically changed in the last 10 years. The last two years with drought growing across our state, towns running low on water, others running out of water, the Murray Darling basin being the way it is, I say where we would be without the dams built in the past?
"Have a look what has happened in regards to our population growth, have a look at where Chichester Dam was two years ago."
The We Need Tillegra Dam group is in discussions with National Party branch members and has been invited to Parliament House by One Nation and the Shooters Farmers Fishers Party, leaving the group members feeling "positive".
Hunter Water is reviewing the Lower Hunter Water Plan, providing the perfect opportunity for a conversation about the dam, according to Mr Dowling.
Hunter Water is updating the 2014 plan, alongside the NSW Government's water team and Central Coast Council, to ensure there is a sustainable supply of water in the long term, particularly in drought.
Two workshop-style deliberative forums have been held - one in Newcastle on June 25 and in Maitland on June 26 with invitations extended to 160 people from a cross-section of the Lower Hunter community.
Hunter Water Managing Director Jim Bentley said it's important that as a community we manage our precious resource well and protect it for future generations.
"In a time when most of NSW is in drought, we need to be vigilant about how we're using water and how we're conserving it," he said.
"With our storages at a 13-year low and the potential for water restrictions in the coming months, we must use and manage this precious resource wisely, both now and in the future."
The We need water, We need Tillegra Dam Facebook group has been running a poll on the water plan, asking its 1240 followers should the Tillegra Dam form part of the solution to create long term water security for the Lower Hunter along with a tourism and recreational hotspot for Dungog? By Monday afternoon (July 1), the poll had 574 votes with 86 per cent of respondents voting "yes".
