Plan to protect vital Hunter drinking water source

Example of bank revegetation and stock exclusion fencing on the Tweed River in northern NSW.

Efforts to protect one of the region's key water sources have progressed with the release of an erosion management plan for the Seaham Weir Pool.

The erosion control works will enable recreational boating activity to continue within the existing designated zones on the weir pool.

Repairs and protection along the 20-kilometre stretch of the Williams River between Seaham and just upstream of Clarence Town will include revegetation and livestock fencing.

Hunter Water Managing Director, Darren Cleary, said the plan provided a solution to ongoing water quality concerns.

Example of bank toe protection using logs on the Clarence River in northern NSW.

"The gradual, long-term decline in water quality in this section of the Williams River continues to be a concern to us," he said.

The Williams River, the primary water source for Grahamstown Dam, forms a critical part of the Hunter's drinking water supply.

"This Plan improves water quality and delivers positive environmental outcomes, while also supporting social and economic benefits of the Williams River, such as boating activities, that the community values," Mr Cleary said.

"The final Erosion Management Plan is a result of expert studies, government agency expertise, and feedback from the local community, landholders, boaters and other waterway users.

"We can now start implementing the plan's actions and we've already been having preliminary discussions with landholders to understand and assess their properties for proposed remediation work."

Example of lower bank rock toe protection works on the Clarence River in northern NSW.

Community feedback provided at drop-in information sessions held last year as well as online surveys have been incorporated into the final plan.

"We also acknowledge the planning and leadership of the Seaham Weir Pool Interagency Working Group, which includes representatives from Dungog Shire and Port Stephens Councils, Transport for NSW, and Hunter Local Land Services," Mr Cleary said.

The Plan was prepared in collaboration with state government agencies, in consultation with NSW Soil Conservation Service and independent experts at the University of NSW's Water Research Laboratory.

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