News

Rous is relocating

2 December 2024

As you may know, Rous is moving its offices from Lismore to Ballina.  

While our new, purpose-built offices in Ballina are under construction, you can find us at our temporary location: 20 Conway Street, Lismore. 

• 16 – 20 Dec 2024: you can contact us by phone or email.  
• 23 Dec – 3 Jan 2025: we will be closed for the Christmas break. For any urgent matters, such as a water leak, customers are advised to contact our ‘after-hours’ number on: (02) 6626 6955.   
• 6 Jan – end of 2025: you can speak to Customer Service in person at our temporary office, Monday to Thursday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.  

Our new offices at Ballina are designed to enhance our service delivery by consolidating our depots, properties, and administration building - bringing our staff together. This move will also allow us to vacate our large, rented administration building in Molesworth Street, Lismore, leading to a more financially sustainable future.

Sustainable Water Partner Program 

18 November 2024

Our Water Sustainability Team visited YHA Byron Bay, YHA Cape Byron, and Alstonville Primary School last week to conduct water assessments as part of the Sustainable Water Partner Program.

The Sustainable Water Partner Program helps businesses optimise water use and reduce their impact on our region's water supply.

The assessment involves gathering information on how businesses use water, identifying areas of water wastage, and detecting any leaks.

Once all the data has been collected, we will develop a water efficiency plan for each location. These plans will identify and prioritise cost-effective water-saving projects, with specific action steps for implementation.

The plans will also outline expected savings in water, sewer, and trade waste costs, as well as calculate the return on investment. Additionally, the hostels and school will be eligible for a rebate funded by Rous to help implement the water efficiency projects.

Water is essential to many local businesses, so by working together, we aim to prevent waste and, where possible, help reduce overall water consumption.

By focusing on water efficiency, businesses can:
- Achieve significant water savings
- Lower water, sewage, liquid trade waste, and energy bills
- Gain recognition for their sustainability efforts.

Rous improves drainage systems in Coraki and Woodburn to reduce flood water inundation 

14 November 2024

Rous County Council (Rous) has completed works to improve drainage systems in the villages of Coraki and Woodburn in the Northern Rivers.

The purpose of the project is to enhance the drain’s flow and function and allow for a quicker recovery after flood events – benefitting local residents, businesses and communities.

Delivered by Rous, the $150,000 project was funded by the Australian Government’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and administered by the NSW Reconstruction Authority through the Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program (NRRRP).

It is one of 36 projects being delivered under the $150 million NRRRP, which aims to drive long-term resilience and ensure communities are better equipped to withstand and recover from future disasters.

Coraki and Woodburn have ‘town drains’ which are one of the main pathways that floodwaters drain from the villages. These drains do not prevent flooding but rather reduce the length of time of inundation.

Rous surveyed both drains to better understand how they function and what works would be required to improve their operation. The systems were mechanically cleaned using an excavator, removing vegetation and silt from the drains and debris from previous flood events.

Woody weeds, including Coral Trees and Camphor Laurels, have also been removed from the banks to provide a clearer channel for greater flow.

Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister said these works are an important step to better protecting communities in the Northern Rivers.

“Improving drainage systems and removing debris is an easy and practical way to help reduce the risk of any future floods,” she said.

“The Albanese Government is working with all levels of government to help ensure communities in the North Coast are better prepared for the next flood.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin said clearing the drainage systems in the villages of Coraki and Woodburn would help build resilience for a future flood event.

“This is a really practical example of a project that will positively impact these communities and lead to less flood inundation time following floods,” she said.

“It is also a positive example of three layers of government working together to implement flood mitigation measures following the floods of 2022.”

Robert Mustow, Chair for Rous County Council, said: “Both villages bore the brunt of the catastrophic 2022 floods and it’s great to see this investment in these local drainage systems.” Chrisy Clay, Flood Mitigation Manager, for Rous County Council, said the work had been completed with the assistance of locally based contractors.

“We are very grateful for the funding made available through the Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program and the assistance of the NSW Reconstruction Authority in completing these works,” she said.

“The improvements to the Coraki and Woodburn town drains are an example of the work Rous does to manage and maintain its large network of rural flood mitigation infrastructure.

“This network includes 190km of drains and canals, which are highly valued by floodplain landowners and residents for the service we provide.”

Future Water Project Update available now 

14 November 2024

The Future Water Project 2060 (FWP2060) is Rous’s staged and adaptive plan to provide a secure water supply that continues to meet the community’s needs, so that our region remains a great place to live today and for generations to come. 

Stages 1 and 2 are focused on enhanced groundwater schemes at Alstonville and Woodburn. Investigations continue into new potential water supply sources for Stage 3. Large infrastructure projects have long lead times that require extensive investigations. 

You can find an overview of the FWP2060 on Rous’s webpage here. A new Project Update is also available to download with more detailed information about project activities. 

Residential Behaviour Change Pilot Program launched 

14 November 2024

We’re thrilled to be kicking off the Residential Behaviour Change Pilot Program, aimed at helping residents use water more sustainably in line with our 2023-2026 Regional Demand Management Plan. This is an important step in working collaboratively to address regional water demand and build a water-wise future.

Last week, our Community Engagement Officer, Bella, and expert Behaviour Change consultant Liz Ampt, from Concepts of Change, led our first round of community focus groups with residential water customers from Ewingsdale, Coraki, Richmond Hill, and Tintenbar.

Together, we’re building a program with the community, not just for the community. This ‘community codesign’ approach gives our customers a voice in shaping a program that truly reflects their needs, values, and local knowledge.

Through voluntary behaviour change, we’re encouraging participants to reduce water use in ways that align with their own goals and lifestyles—leading to lasting, self-sustained impact.

Next steps? Bella, Liz, and the team will analyse community insights from these sessions to inform the design and development of the pilot program, which will be rolled out over the next 18 months.

A big thank you to all the residents and team members involved—your collaboration and enthusiasm are paving the way for a more sustainable future!

Climate projections topical at Adapt NSW Forum 

7 November 2024

Rous staff have attended the Adapt NSW Forum held in Sydney last week to discover the features of Australia’s most accurate climate projection model, and how we can best apply it to appreciate how a changing climate could impact our regional water supply. 

The NSW and Australian Regional Climate Modelling (NARCliM) project is a climate projection model that provides detailed climate projections for parts of Australia. It helps in understanding how climate variables, like temperature and rainfall, might change in the future, particularly in the context of climate change.  

At the Forum, a panel of experts discussed how to practically apply NARCliM 2.0 data. NARCliM 2.0 was released in August and provides the most comprehensive set of NSW climate projections yet. It uses advanced regional climate modelling techniques, reputable global climate models and emissions scenarios.  

Rous uses climate projection data to understand how much more or how much less water Rous might receive in its catchment area. This information is important when planning for the delivery of new water infrastructure so that the Northern Rivers community can continue to depend on high-quality drinking water. 

Help prevent highly invasive weed, Frogbit, from establishing in the Northern Rivers

7 November 2024

Rous County Council (Rous) is asking the Northern Rivers’ community to report possible sightings of the highly invasive weed Frogbit ahead of the summer months when typical weather conditions are ideal for it to spread.

Frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum) is a fast-spreading, aquatic weed that poses a significant risk to the region’s waterways and aquatic animals.

Frogbit forms large thick mats across the water’s surface, which blocks water ways and irrigation channels, and prevents native plant species from growing. Additionally, incursions of Frogbit reduces light, food and shelter for fish and other aquatic animals.

First detected in Queensland, Frogbit has more recently been found in the Northern Rivers due to flood events and by plant and aquarium enthusiasts who have purchased it from interstate dealers unaware of its status as prohibited matter in New South Wales.

Rous’ Weed Biosecurity team is working to ensure it does not establish in the region, according to Rhett Patrick, Weed Biosecurity and Bush Regeneration Manager at Rous.

“This plant matter can quickly become established in its new environment, dominating the ecosystem and reducing biodiversity,” said Rhett Patrick.

“Prior to the 2022 floods, the Northern Rivers had only one known Frogbit infestation in the Tweed Shire, however the force of the floodwater dispersed the weed into new areas downstream.

“An infestation of Frogbit was also found in the Byron Shire last year and our Weed Biosecurity team spent six months controlling the area to reduce the risk for it to spread.

“We are continuing to monitor both sites and surrounds. However, as a flood-prone region with an abundance of rivers, creeks and waterways to disperse invasive weeds, it is vital that the local community and Rous works together to prevent any further infestations.

“This is especially important as we move into the summer months, when the weather typically becomes wetter and warmer, increasing the potential for the spread of Frogbit.”

Frogbit is classified as Prohibited Matter in NSW under the Biosecurity Act (2015), making its possession, movement or sale illegal.

As the Local Control Authority, Rous has legislative responsibilities to manage weeds in accordance with the Biosecurity Act (2015), accompanying regulations and regional plans.

According to these regulations, Rous’ role is to specifically manage priority weeds.

Priority weeds, such as Frogbit, are new and emerging weed threats to the region that have been assessed as posing serious environmental and economic impacts. Decisions regarding which weeds are a priority are made by State and Regional Weed Committees, the Department of Primary Industries and other advisory bodies.

To report any possible sightings of Frogbit, the community is encouraged to contact Rous by calling (02) 66233800, or using the ‘report a weed’ webform: rous.nsw.gov.au/report-a-weed

Rous welcomes its governing body serving this term

31 October 2024

At the Council Meeting, on Wednesday 30 October 2024, Rous County Council (Rous) welcomed the recently elected councillors who have been appointed to serve as its governing body for a four-year term.

Two councillors were nominated from each of the constituent councils (Ballina, Byron, Lismore and Richmond Valley).

They are Cr Sharon Cadwallader, Cr Eva Ramsey, Cr Sarah Ndiaye, Cr Elia Hauge, Cr Andrew Gordon, Cr Steve Krieg, Cr Robert Mustow and Cr Sandra Humphrys.

“On behalf of Rous, I am pleased to welcome the councillors who form our governing body this term,” said Phillip Rudd, General Manager, Rous.

“Cr Sharon Cadwallader, Cr Sarah Ndiaye, Cr Andrew Gordon, Cr Robert Mustow and Cr Sandra Humphrys have returned this term, and I look forward to continuing our productive collaboration.

“Cr Eva Ramsey, Cr Elia Hauge and Cr Steve Krieg have been newly appointed. I trust their insights, local knowledge and business acumen will be valuable to Rous and the community we serve.”

At the Council Meeting, the group elected Cr Robert Mustow as Chairperson and Cr Sharon Cadwallader as Deputy Chairperson of Rous’ governing body for the first two years of the term – both served in the same positions last term.

“I am proud to have been appointed as Chair once again by my fellow councillors,” said Cr Robert Mustow, Rous Chair and Richmond Valley Council Mayor.

“I will continue to represent our community with integrity on important decisions relating to water, weed biosecurity and rural flood mitigation.”

At the Council Meeting, Cr Elia Hauge was appointed as the primary non-voting member for the Audit Risk and Improvement Committee, and Cr Sarah Ndiaye as the alternative non-voting member.

Rous’ governing body also elected Cr Sarah Ndiaye as the Chair of the Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Group, and Cr Elia Hauge as the alternative Chair.

Big Scrub Rainforest Schools Day 

31 October 2024

On 25 October, 2024, 800 rainforest trees were planted at Rocky Creek Dam by local primary school children as part of Big Scrub Rainforest Schools Day for 2024.

The event is an annual mainstay in the calendar and Rous was proud to partner with Big Scrub Rainforest Conservancy, Envite Environment and Dorroughby Environmental Education Centre to give students from Rosebank, Corndale, The Channon and Nimbin Central schools the chance to contribute to rainforest restoration in their local area.

The day began with a Welcome to Country from Widajbul Wia Bal Elder Roy Gordon, who sang some songs in the Bundjalung language and encouraged the kids to clap along with him in rhythm. The students then split into groups – some headed off to plant trees while others spent time learning about the importance of water or take part in nature journaling.

With help from Rous’ bush regeneration team, students were given crash course in tree planting by Big Scrub Rainforest Conservancy President Mark Dunphy. They swiftly donned some gardening gloves before getting stuck in to planting new rainforest on the beautiful red soil that surrounds the dam.

The day was a great success. We were amazed at the speed with which the students were planting trees – there were surely a few budding bush regenerators within the group! Can’t wait for 2025!

How Rous assesses the impact of new groundwater bores  

24 October 2024

Recently the newly built 220m-deep groundwater bore at Converys Lane in the Wollongbar area started a long-term verification program. This involves a sustained pumping test to assess how much water can be sustainably withdrawn from the Clarence Moreton Basin sub-aquifer without negatively impacting the environment or other water users. Sustained pumping tests form part of Rous’s robust, rigorous and responsible approach to managing the region’s groundwater resources. 

Assessing groundwater is complex and can take time. This type of test and verification program provides a much clearer picture of the nature and attributes of different groundwater sources. Hydrogeological assessments confirm the water quality and quantity and provide insight into how quickly aquifers and sub-aquifers replenish under pressure. Water quality testing covers a broad range of elements including salinity, pH and turbidity. 

While Converys Lane is the only known bore in the area that accesses the deep Clarence Moreton Basin sub-aquifer, monitoring the surrounding bores will provide information about any possible impact on surrounding systems. 

At Converys Lane, pump testing will run for around six to nine months with regular monitoring. Water from the Clarence Moreton Basin will form part of the enhanced Alstonville Plateau Water Supply Scheme, currently in the planning and development stages. 

For more information about how we test groundwater sources and how we’re securing water for the future, please visit: https://rous.nsw.gov.au/future-water-project 

Climate extremes topical at Indigenous Disaster Resilience Conference 

18 October 2024

Members from Rous’ Catchment and Cultural Awareness and Future Water teams hosted around 20 delegates in a discussion about how a changing climate is impacting our water supply as part of the Indigenous Disaster Resilience Conference held at the end of September. 

One of the conference’s tours, held at Rocky Creek Dam, offered delegates bird watching, nature walking and the chance to learn about Rous’ habitat restoration work and water security planning. 

Rous staff discussed climate extremes and how we account for the uncertainty of future climate scenarios when we undertake strategic planning of our water supply. It was an opportunity to share our review of the potential impacts of climate change on the reliability of our water supply and the different extremes we’ve recently experienced, including the February/March 2022 flood events.  

During the February flood, around 900mm of rain fell in a 48-hour period, with anecdotal evidence suggesting that this may have been considerably higher in our catchment. This caused significant challenges for Rous, including slips in the catchment and treating water with high turbidity. 

Sharing our key learnings, and hearing about the experiences of the delegates from all around Australia, gives us a greater appreciation of the work that’s needed and the challenges we face when dealing with emergency situations. 

The three-day disaster resilience event was co-organised by Monash University and Jagun Alliance. It welcomed people from all backgrounds interested in engaging in Indigenous-led conversations on disaster resilience and preparedness. 

Shape the development of our new community water use program

14 October 2024

Rous is working with our local communities to develop an ongoing water use program that best ensures reliable and cost-effective water throughout our region. 

We want to provide our direct water customers with the opportunity to contribute towards the development of this program. 

We are hosting several 1.5 hour focus groups across the region in early November, and would like to invite our direct water customers (aged 18+) to come along:

Dates and locations:

• Monday the 4th of November - Ewingsdale Community Hall (6:30-8pm)
• Tuesday the 5th of November - Coraki Memorial Bowling Club (6:30-8pm)
• Wednesday the 6th of November - Richmond Hill Community Centre (6:30-8pm)
• Thursday the 7th of November - Tintenbar Hall (6:30-8pm)

A light supper and refreshments will be provided on the evening, and participants will receive a $120 voucher as an acknowledgement of their valuable time and contribution.

To express your interest in joining an upcoming focus group, click here: https://forms.office.com/r/CaWUbKz0Sa 

Rocky Creek Dam will be closed to the public

3 October 2024

Rocky Creek Dam will be closed to the public from 7am on Tuesday 15 October until 5pm Thursday 17 October. 

The closure will allow Lismore Tree Services to safely conduct planned maintenance works. 

We apologise for any inconvenience during this time. 

Rous receives funding to restore section of Bungawalbyn Creek bank

27 September 2024

Rous has been granted $158,000 from the Recreational Fishing Saltwater Trust Expenditure Committee (RFSTEC). This Grant is administered by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and will be used by Rous to address bank erosion along a 200m section of Bungawalbin Creek. 

The repair work will restore 1600m² of complex fish habitat in Bungawalbin Creek which is a high conservation value waterway and a popular Bass fishing destination.  

The Flagship Fish Habitat Rehabilitation Grant program provides funding for large-scale projects that significantly enhance fish habitat, water quality and fish passage opportunities within the coastal catchments of NSW.

Rous is the local flood mitigation authority and understands that holistically a more stable and resilient creek bank provides benefits for the waterway and fish habitat, but also to nearby private property and infrastructure too. The investment of funds now means that erosion can be halted before it worsens and allows for nature-based solutions to be used ahead of hard engineering options.

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“These Flagship grants allow fishing clubs, non-Government organisations and other agencies to tackle large, complex projects that will safeguard and enhance local fish habitats and recreational fisheries.

“Improved habitat means better opportunities for fish and therefore better opportunities for recreational fishers.

“This program is yet another excellent example of how recreational fishing fees are helping to support and improve sustainable fisheries in NSW.”

For further information, read the media release issued by Janelle Saffin MP (State Member for Lismore). 

Water Fill Station at North Lismore now open

9 September 2024

The new bulk water fill station at Lake St, North Lismore (opposite the cattle sale yards) is now open and ready for use.

This location provides more options for water carters during dry times to reduce turnaround times and improve servicing to rural residents north of Lismore.

The water fill station is open to all bulk water carters who have registered with Rous County Council.

For further information please call us on 66233800. 

Rollout of digital smart water meters to enhance regional water sustainability and security completed. 

5 September 2024

Rous County Council (Rous) is proud to announce the successful completion of the $3.5 million rollout of digital smart water meter across its customers. This significant upgrade aims to improve water sustainability and security across the Lismore, Ballina, Byron and Richmond Valley LGAs.

The initiative began with the installation of the first smart meters in Ballina in February 2024. It has now reached all (2,100) customers, with the final property connection marking the completion of the project on Friday 9 August 2024. The new smart meters, coupled with the "My Rous" app, are designed to provide our customers with timely information on their water use, customisable updates and alerts regarding water usage and leakage detection.

The rollout of the smart meters is part of Rous’s proactive position on water sustainability. Previously, Rous relied on manual water meter readings conducted on a quarterly basis. While sufficient for billing, this method offered limited insights into water use and timely detection of potential leaks. The new digital meters offer a significant advancement by delivering daily water usage updates to Rous and its customers through the My Rous app. The app, developed by GreenBe, empowers customers to monitor their water consumption, identify unusual activity that may suggest leaks, and explore ways to reduce their usage.

Andrew Logan, Group Manager Planning and Delivery at Rous, commented, “The new digital smart meters are already proving their worth, with dozens of our customers becoming aware of water leaks on their property through the daily information provided by the smart meter. This has allowed our customers to save money by not paying for undetected leaks and reduce the amount of water lost through leaking pipes. In the months that the smart meters have been installed, we have seen hundreds of thousands of litres of potential lost water kept in our water storages for future use.”

Tina Le, the Chief Commercial Officer of Nucleus3, highlighted that the Rous region is ideally situated to benefit greatly from smart water metering. “We’ve installed over two thousand smart meters for Rous and the savings are expected to be substantial. The ability to quickly identify leaks is a major advantage, conserving precious water and reducing both water bills and unexpected charges from larger leaks. Additionally, the My Rous water App will enable residents to better understand their water usage and enhance customer service by providing data to address issues.”

“The rollout of digital smart water meters across our modest network of customers will provide valuable information to our partner councils in the region, as well work towards reducing the amount of water lost from our pipe networks.” says Andrew Logan.

Phil Rudd, General Manager at Rous, added, “The data that the smart meters provide will allow enquiries from customers to be resolved quicker and enable Rous to undertake water balances across our network, with data from our digital bulk water meters, potentially allowing Operations staff to identify leaks in our bulk water mains.”

This upgrade represents a significant step forward in ensuring the long-term sustainability and security of our water resources across the Lismore, Ballina, Byron, and Richmond Valley LGAs.

For further information visit this page. 

Rous presents collaborative concept to enable PRW in the regions at the Australian Water Association’s NSW State Conference 

5 September 2024

Following the completion of Rous’s purified recycled water (PRW) investigations report, Rous has presented on the topic of using a re-deployable PRW pilot plant for regional areas at the 2024 Australian Water Association’s (AWA) state conference in Albury, 27 – 29 August. 

A pilot or demonstration plant is considered a part of the best practice journey for water utilities considering PRW as a potential future water source. Pilot plants work to demonstrate the performance and reliability of the advanced treatment processes that produce high-quality drinking water. While pilot plants are costly to build, they enhance the technical capacity of operational staff, and they help build community understanding and acceptance of PRW.  

Alongside the PRW investigations, Rous undertook internal research on possible options for pilot and demonstration plants and through this, an innovative concept emerged: a re-deployable PRW plant for regional NSW. 

The concept would enable costs to be shared among water utilities across regional NSW, for which this option would otherwise likely be cost prohibitive. The plant could be constructed in a manner that would enable it to be decommissioned, re-deployed and recommissioned mulitple times. The presentation also advocate for the collaborative development of shared community engagement resources, shared research efforts and shared operator training. The pooling of resources could be key to enabling PRW in the regions. PRW is a rainfall-independent source and could offer increased water security to many regional areas, particularly inland where alternative rainfall independent sources such as seawater desalination is not feasible. 

The re-deployable pilot plant concept consists of modular process units installed into shipping containers. As part of the Rous investigations, concept process designs were developed that could test the two most common types of advanced treatment processes: reverse osmosis-based and carbon-based advanced treatments. Carbon-based treatment has potential for inland schemes, as complications with brine disposal are avoided. 

Rous presented at the state conference  in partnership with staff from Water Services Association of Australia, the peak industry body representing the urban water industry. 

While Rous’s multi-year investigations into PRW was specific to the Northern Rivers region, it may also provide insights to inform the identification, development and assessment of PRW options at a planning-level in other areas of regional Australia. For more information, please visit Rous’s Future Water Project webpage here.

Local businesses act to conserve water by saving the equivalent of almost four Olympic swimming pools per year

4 September 2024

Rous County Council (Rous) has recognised eight separate Reflections Holidays (Reflections) parks, located between Evans Head and Brunswick Heads for their commitment to water efficiency, saving up to 8.9 million litres annually, the equivalent of almost four Olympic swimming pools per year.

A collaborative project between Rous and Reflections has resulted in several comprehensive onsite water audits, forming recommendations that Reflections have assessed, planned and actioned to conserve our region’s precious drinking water supply.

Completed water efficiency projects have focused on addressing immediate leakage, upgrading more than 300 showers to water efficient alternatives and installing permanent digital water meters (known as smart water meters) to continuously monitor and detect water leaks in a timely manner.

Reflections Executive Manager – Property Development and Planning, Cameron Tynan says, this project was a catalyst for Reflections to enhance visibility of water consumption and potential losses at all of our holiday parks across NSW.

“The initial water efficiency investigations supported by Rous, led to immediate actions as well as long-term projects that will not only reduce our water footprint but our energy consumption as well.”

“Given the outcomes, there are plans for this project, focusing on water savings in the Northern Rivers, to be replicated at other Reflections parks across NSW,” Mr Tynan continues.
This project is supported by Rous through the Sustainable Water Partner Program.

Rous Group Manager Planning and Delivery, Andrew Logan, says, this is just one example of local business and council working together to identify projects with dual benefits for both business operations and water sustainability by reducing demand on our region’s limited drinking water supply.

“Last financial year saw participating businesses receive both planning support and rebates totalling $30,000 with annual cost savings of $10,000 achieved by implementing projects that optimise their water use,” Mr Logan says.

The aim of the Sustainable Water Partner Program is to support businesses within the Rous bulk water supply network to make changes that will have lasting benefits for the business and broader community. It is a Rous County Council Initiative in partnership with Byron Shire Council, Ballina Shire Council, Lismore City Council and Richmond Valley Council.

For more information visit this page.

Future Water Project 2060 (FWP2060) desalination and purified recycled water reports completed 

26 August 2024

The FWP2060 has achieved a considerable milestone with the completion of comprehensive investigative projects for desalination and purified recycled water (PRW). Both multi-year studies have increased Rous’s understanding of manufactured water, acknowledging its ability to provide a rainfall-independent water supply and identifying the various considerations when looking at their implementation in the Northern Rivers context.  

The desalination report confirmed the technical feasibility of a desalination plant while clarifying the significant constraints created by the Cape Byron Marine Park and the impact this has on associated capital costs. The Marine Park extends from the Brunswick River to Lennox Head. To comply with the objectives of its protection zones, a desalination’s intake and outfall structures to the ocean would need to be long enough to reach beyond the zones. These are major pieces of infrastructure and extending their length significantly increases engineering complexity and costs.  

While also technically viable and a rainfall-independent source of water, the PRW report identifies two primary challenges with implementing PRW in the Northern Rivers: the relatively high cost of producing drinking water and current legislative barriers. Our region has a low population density dispersed across a wide geographical area. This means we have relatively small wastewater treatment plants, which limits the capacity of advanced water treatment plants to produce ~10 ML/day of drinking water and does not provide economy of scale larger urban schemes benefit from. The most viable PRW scheme identified for the Northern Rivers in the investigation does not have an accessible approval pathway under the current national guidelines. 

The report highlights that while costly to build, demonstration/pilot plants can play a role in the successful implementation of a PRW scheme. Pursuing a pilot plant is likely to be considered if Rous seeks approval for a full-scale PRW scheme. 

These reports provide critical, contemporary information to inform the comparison of all long-term water sources, including surface water and groundwater, which are still being investigated. The learnings from the reports will be considered as part of the scheduled review of Rous’s Integrated Water Cycle Management strategy (FWP2060) next year. 

Rous councillors received and noted the two comprehensive reports at Council’s ordinary meeting on 21 August 2024.

Platypus boardwalk at Rocky Creek Dam closed until further notice

14 August 2024

The recent collapse of a tree across the boardwalk has caused severe damage. For safety reasons, access to the boardwalk is strictly prohibited until necessary repairs have been completed.

An update will be posted once the boardwalk reopens.

For more information contact Rous County Council on (02) 6623 3800.

Rous County Council Secures $6.9 Million Grant for Bungawalbin Levee Remediation

11 July 2024

Rous County Council is pleased to announce the approval of a grant totalling up to $6.9 million under the Natural Disaster Relief Assistance Program (NDRA) and State and Commonwealth Government’s Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. 

The funding will facilitate the remediation of the Bungawalbin Levee, an 8km earth levee that protects properties along the eastern side of Bungawalbin Creek and in some instances around to Swan Bay and towards Rocky Mouth Creek. 

Located between Woodburn and Coraki in the Richmond Valley Council area, Bungawalbin Levee protects against minor and moderate floods. Recent damage to the levee, notably from the flood events of 2017, 2021, and 2022, emphasised the levee's importance while prompting Rous and community concern.

“This investment in Bungawalbin Levee comes after considerable effort from the community and Rous to highlight its importance. An independent assessment of the levee, funded by Rous, has paved the way for this significant investment. Bungawalbin Levee is highly valued by floodplain landowners and residents for the service it provides,” said Cr Robert Mustow, Rous Chair.

Rous County Council will collaborate with NSW Public Works to finalise the scope of the remediation works, ensuring optimal utilisation of the grant across the levee. This initiative follows successful repairs to the Tuckombil Levee which protects Woodburn and surrounds from flooding from Tuckombil Canal and the Evans River, also funded through the NDRA and disaster recovery arrangements.

The Tuckombil Levee repairs were guided by specialised geotechnical advice on how to repair the levee and what material to use. The repair work was then independently inspected and assessed when completed. Emergency works were also recently completed on Bungawalbin Levee to repair a section of rock armouring that had slumped following the 2022 flood.

“The repair of Tuckombil Levee is an example of the work Rous does to manage and maintain its large network of historic, rural flood mitigation infrastructure. These levees are an important way of reducing the impact of floods on the mid-Richmond community by reducing inundation of valuable agricultural land, residential properties, evacuation roads and infrastructure. Rous looks forward to continuing this approach in utilising the significant investment now secured for Bungawalbin Levee.” Said Cr Robert Mustow.

Rous County Council looks forward to advancing protection and resilience for the mid-Richmond community against future flood events.

NOTICE OF INTENT: Replacement of water main – Bangalow Road and Paterson Street, Byron Bay

UPDATE: 17 July 2024

This project has been deferred until June 2025.

25 June 2024 (Updated from 13 February 2024)

Rous County Council (Rous) intends to upgrade a segment of the water infrastructure along Bangalow Road and Paterson Street from August to October 2024. This work is expected to take between 8 to 10 weeks to complete. 

During the construction period there will be intermittent lane closures around Paterson Street and Old Bangalow Road. Notifications of dates and times will be provided to road users by visual message boards located on Bangalow Road and updates will be posted on the Rous website and Facebook page.

Emigrant Creek Dam boardwalk closed until further notice

13 June 2024

The recent collapse of a tree across the boardwalk has caused severe damage to its foundations. For safety reasons, access to the boardwalk is strictly prohibited until necessary repairs have been completed.

Due to the extensive nature of the repairs, it is expected that the boardwalk will be closed for a number of months. An update will be posted once the boardwalk reopens.

For more information contact Rous County Council on (02) 6623 3800.

Monitoring our drinking water

12 June 2024

Following the recent media interest in PFAS chemicals in groundwater and other drinking water sources, we know that there is a concern about the existence of PFAS chemicals in the greater Rous County Council (Rous) catchment area. 

We can assure you that all water produced by Rous for the residents of the Northern Rivers region is safe to drink. Rous takes extensive measures to ensure the safety and quality of our water. We adhere to the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) and implement rigorous monitoring and treatment processes in the production of clean safe drinking water for the region. To date, PFAS have not been detected in any raw or treated water samples tested by Rous.   

Our treatment plants utilise advanced filtration and purification methods to remove contaminants, ensuring the water meets all health and safety standards. They are built to treat water to the highest quality possible with the available technology. 

Fortunately, the Northern Rivers is not home to many large, primary sources of PFAS, such as industrial manufacturing hubs compared to other regions of the world. Of course, ongoing environmental analysis and close monitoring of our water supply are crucial to ensuring the preservation of public health and the beautiful region in which we all live.

If you have concerns about the condition of your water, please feel free to contact us if you have any topics you wish to discuss. We value community engagement and are always happy to discuss water quality issues. 

For more information contact Rous County Council on (02) 6623 3800.

Aerial survey

29 May 2024

Rous County Council (Weed Biosecurity) with Tweed Shire Council will be conducting the annual Bitou bush aerial survey Wednesday, 29 May 2024, from Final Head to Byron Bay.

For more information contact Rous County Council on (02) 6623 3800.

Bush Regeneration at Fosters Spur update

24 May 2024

The Bush Regeneration Team has completed Stage 4 of Rous’s long-term regeneration project at Fosters Spur. Stage 4 involved the planting of 2,000 seedlings over an area of 0.6 hectares. 

Since the commencement of the project in 2021, approximately 6,000 seedlings have been planted. The completion of this latest stage brings the current size of the regeneration project to approximately 7 hectares. That’s 2.4 hectares through planting and 4.6 hectares through assisted regeneration. 

Restoring Fosters Spur to native rainforest forms part of Rous’s Buffer Zone Improvement Program to manage water quality at the source. The buffer zone around the dam is the first barrier in protecting against water quality risks and promotes improvements in raw water quality. 

The project also aims to enhance the amenability of the Rocky Creek Dam public park area by removing weed infestations that are visible from the recreational area in what is otherwise a pristine forested environment. The removed weeds included Lantana, Camphor laurel, privet and Buddleja. 

The team’s best practice approach has seen the planting first of pioneer species whose seeds are gathered from the nearby forest floor. These include Pencil Cedar, Brown Kurrajong, Red Camara and Bleeding-Heart seedlings. These are classified as pioneer species as they are the first to return after a disturbance or a clearance on the land. Natural regeneration then takes over to create new rainforest areas that expand into the existing forest. Surrounded by conservation areas, there is confidence that birds and other animals will carry in new species so natural seed recruitment continues.

As a leader and service provider in the community, Rous is setting an example of how a long-term and large-scale ecological restoration project can simultaneously improve water quality and a unique environment of great ecological value. 

Rous attends Australia's leading water conference

7 May 2024

Australia’s premier water event, OzWater’24, has given five Rous employees a chance to learn from the experiences of others and stay at the forefront of new approaches in planning and managing water resources and systems.

This year’s theme, ‘Accelerating Action’, addressed the role water plays in a changing climate, including opportunities to create a resilient and sustainable water future. Communities around the world are increasingly facing water availability challenges, including the Northern Rivers. Despite our region’s typically high annual rainfall, our water resources are under pressure and our future water security is a strong focus for Rous.

As we experience more unpredictable weather and with more people wanting to call the Northern Rivers home, Rous must act now to manage our drinking water supplies and develop new supply sources for the future. Conferences like OzWater are an opportunity to discuss these issues and develop new ways to build resilience. The Rous employees who attended the conference represented our water planning, delivery and security teams.

The three-day conference and exhibition featured international and national keynote speakers, scientific and technical papers, case studies, workshops, panel sessions and presentations.
Ozwater’24 is the largest water conference and exhibition in the Southern Hemisphere, run annually by the Australian Water Association. OzWater’24 was held from 30 April – 2 May in Melbourne.