The Department of Planning and Environment (Water) advised some months ago that there would be an independent review of the original design of the Wilcannia weir.

Several names were recommended to the department by the community to form membership of the Independent Review Panel.

Gleaning from recent communications with the Water Minister’s Office, Council understands negotiations are in progress with potential candidates.

No decision has been made on the appointments to the Independent Review Panel.

Roy Butler MP Independent Member for Barwon recently moved a notice of motion in Parliament of NSW regarding the Wilcannia weir replacement project.

He asked that the house notes the original consultation that resulted in an agreed design for Wilcannia Weir was nominated for an award, observes that the design was changed without community consultation for contentious reasons, recognises that the Wilcannia Community does not support the revised design, agrees as a disadvantaged indigenous community, Wilcannia should not be short changed, and asks the State and Federal Government to listen to the Wilcannia community and build the weir they agreed to and deserve.

“There is an element of frustration from the community that this initial project pause ended in a complete stop,” Central Darling Shire GM Greg Hill said.

“Unfortunately, there is no real solution at this time.”

Un update on the situation was made on the NSW Government website, detailing that Minister for Water, Rose Jackson promised the community an independent review when she visited Wilcannia on 26 June 2024.

It goes on to say Wilcannia Weir Replacement Project is currently paused, pending the completion of an independent review into the environmental impacts, along with the safety and operational concerns that led to the department’s Water Group proposing a new design for the weir.

While the review is being conducted, work will continue on other Wilcannia projects aimed at improving water security.

This includes works related to the new groundwater bore for Wilcannia as well as working with Central Darling Shire Council on the planned upgrade of the Wilcannia water treatment plant. The department’s Water Group will also continue to engage with the Wilcannia community to co-design Community River Place.

The existing Wilcannia Weir was built in 1942 for the purpose of providing a more reliable town water supply for Wilcannia. The existing weir has now failed and there is a need to support long-term town water security for the community by providing suitable water infrastructure, including a new weir.