Lachlan Valley Water has again called to expedite the raising of Wyangala dam in the wake of devastating flood damage across the valley.
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The cost of the recent Lachlan Valley floods has now been estimated at near $10 million, with producers calling for the government to speed up the process to raise Wyangala Dam wall to protect the valley from future floods.
There have been four floods over winter, two being at moderate levels, which have killed more than 10,000 acres of cereal, canola and pasture crops in the mid valley around Jemalong.
Lachlan Valley Water chair, Tom Green, says its now time for the NSW Government to act and raise the dam wall to protect farmers, and the whole community, from moderate and major flood peaks.
"For some that has been significant loss, 50, 70, 80 per cent of their cropping or their farming area," he said.
"That has all been on the back of the dam having to release water to maintain airspace and protect the structure.
"It really highlights in a year like this where a larger dam you would still have significant river flows and providing that critical water for the environment and for the river health but you would be able to manage it within the river bank."
The Wyangala Dam Wall Raising project is expected to increase the dam's capacity to hold an additional 650 gigalitres, which will increase capacity by 53 per cent.
The proposed project will see the dam wall height raised, which will increase the Full Supply Level by 10 metres.
Chairman of Jemalong Irrigation, Nick Turner, said he's aware of at least 10,000 acres of crop which has been lost and most of the flooding has been on the back of airspace releases.
"The water in the river has breached the channels and has gone out throughout the flood courses and into some other areas as well which has destroyed tens of thousands of acres of crop throughout this winter," he said.
"With the amount of water that has come, that has been released, all those businesses that have suffered from those three flood events would not have received any water from the river whatsoever, if we had that dam wall another ten metres higher."
While Jemalong district farmer, Evan Wilson, said he's devastated by the damage he has encountered on his farm near Jemalong weir with an 80 per cent wipe out.
"On this block there is about 250 odd hectares and I would say we would run the header over 50 to 60 hectares out of the 250," he said.
"Quite obviously it is upsetting, especially in a year like this when we are looking at all time high commodity prices.
"The valley is there to grow food, to provide income, keep the towns in the valley more sustainable.
"I can't see why there is a debate for it not to be happening."
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