The multi-million dollar Port Stephens oyster industry could be threatened if a new Lower Hunter dam at Limeburners Creek goes ahead, an environmental review has found.
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The potential 160 gigalitre dam site, about 10 kilometres north of Grahamstown Dam, is being assessed as a potential off-river storage that would be filled via pumped flows from Grahamstown.
It is one of two potential new dam projects that are under consideration as part of the Lower Hunter Water Security Plan review.
The Hunter Water commissioned review, which is also considering desalination, and increased water recycling and conservation, will reach a critical juncture on Tuesday when Hunter Water releases the results of stakeholder feedback.
The Karuah River Estuary extends up Limeburners Creek to within approximately four kilometres of the proposed dam wall.
It is used as a nursery for oysters, before they are moved to other sites within the wider Port Stephens Estuary.
Limeburners Creek is part of the Karuah River estuary that has been classified as a priority oyster aquaculture area in the NSW Oyster Industry's Sustainable Aquaculture Strategy.
A November 2019 environmental and social assessment review of the Limeburners Creek dam option highlights the project may adversely affect the oyster industry.
"The construction and operation of Limeburners Creek Dam may impact on the short and long term survival of the oyster species downstream of the dam due to alteration of flows and nutrient concentrations," the report said.
It also noted the dam "may subsequently impact on the economic livelihoods of the owners of these oyster leases.
"This may also inhibit the objectives of the NSW Oyster Industry Sustainable Aquaculture Strategy."
Lemon Tree Passage oyster grower Mark Salm said growers were aware of the potential dam but were yet to reach a formal position about it.
"We put our faith in the Department of Primary Industries, aquaculture branch. We are yet to hear their advice," he said.
The Healthy Hunter Rivers group is fighting to prevent the construction of a new Lower Hunter dam. It argues greeter emphasis should be placed on water recycling and conservation.
Group spokesman Ken Edwards said the Limeburners Creek dam report proved the environmental and social impacts of a new dam would be devastating for the surrounding area.
"The social impacts of this dam would be much greater than Hunter Water would like to admit," he said.
"Not only will there be the displacement of the residents and property owners in the inundation area, but their report shows there could be major impacts on the livelihoods and employment of the downstream oyster, recreational fishing and tourism industries of Port Stephens."
A Hunter Water spokesman said all water supply and demand options were under consideration as part of the Lower Hunter Water Security Plan.
"No decisions have been made about the preferred portfolio of options to be included as part of the revised plan, aside from a continued commitment to including water conservation and leakage reduction in all portfolios," he said.
"Given the number of supply and demand options being considered, Hunter Water is completing high level environmental, social and economic assessments to provide sufficient information that supports community and stakeholder engagement, and ultimately decision making. This work is informing the draft Plan, and ongoing investigations.
"Any supply and demand options selected in the final portfolio will be subject to the rigorous, formal planning process, which includes detailed public assessment of each option's environmental and social benefits and impacts."
A draft of the revised Lower Hunter Water Security Plan is due to be released mid-year.
Matthew Kelly
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
