7 July 2025
Rous County Council (Rous), the regional water authority, has acquired critical water infrastructure from Ballina Shire Council (Ballina) including the Marom Creek Water Treatment Plant at Alstonville.
The acquisition of key water assets will support a robust and resilient water supply system to meet the community’s needs now and into the future.
Photo caption: Marom Creek and the Weir
The transfer of assets was finalised last week and is part of Rous’ development of an improved water supply scheme on the plateau.
Combining Rous’ and Ballina’s water supply infrastructure on the Alstonville Plateau, including sought after water allocation licences, is a strategic step in securing water for the Northern Rivers, according to Rous’ General Manager, Phillip Rudd.
“Consolidating water assets in the Alstonville area and incorporating them permanently into Rous’ supply system will provide the region with greater water security and better cost outcomes for the community,” Phillip Rudd said.
The Marom Creek weir holds around 66 megalitres of water (26 Olympic pools) and has an estimated average inflow of 30 megalitres of water per day. Historically, it has serviced Wardell, some properties in Alstonville and the Cabbage Tree Island community.
“Combining existing groundwater resources and water from the weir into Rous’ network will make better use of the available water,” added Phillip Rudd.
Rous recently constructed a new 220m-deep groundwater bore in Wollongbar to access the Clarence Moreton Basin sub-aquifer, located beneath the more widely used Alstonville Basalt Plateau aquifer. The NSW Government officially granted Rous a new Town Water Access
Licence for the deep Clarence Moreton Basin sub-aquifer in March 2025.
The Alstonville scheme is being designed to maximise the provision of safe drinking water while ensuring that it is affordable, sustainable and reliable, according to Rous’ Group Manager Planning and Delivery, Andrew Logan.
“Groundwater has the potential to offer the Northern Rivers an additional source of relatively reliable high-quality water, not only in times of drought, but also to meet everyday supply needs,” Andrew Logan said.
“The diversification of water sources supports a more consistent and reliable supply during periods of dry weather, limiting the need for interventions such as water restrictions.”
For more information about Rous’ planning for a safe and secure water supply to meet the community’s needs, please visit www.rous.nsw.gov.au/future-water-project
