Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen has assured the community that work on the Williams River Erosion Management Plan is continuing – with no decisions yet made.
Mr Johnsen said an inter-agency working group is preparing the draft plan, including assessing various options to combat the effects of erosion of riverbanks on the Williams River with the community to be given a chance to comment before it is finalised.
“The working group formed to develop and implement the Williams River Erosion Management Plan includes Transport for NSW, Roads and Maritime Services, Hunter Water and Hunter Local Land Services,” Mr Johnsen said.
“The group is exploring options to improve the resilience of river banks and protect our region’s drinking water supply.
“A report on that feedback will be made public, once all issues raised have been investigated.”
He said a University of New South Wales Water Research Laboratory report indicated various factors including waves generated from some forms of boating, land management practices and the largest flood on record in April 2015 have degraded the condition of riverbanks in the study area.
“The community will have an opportunity to comment on the draft plan in late 2017 before it is finalised,” he said.
“No decisions have yet been made on changing the current on-water and land based options to address river bank erosion on the Williams River.”
“Consideration will be given to both land based and on-water management actions to address erosion and improve water quality. Further details will be available in mid-2017.”
The project committee can be contacted at email: WilliamsRiverStudy@rms.nsw.gov.au or on 1800 875 116.
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