Residents angry at draining of dam
A PETITION has been launched by Wallangarra residents incensed at the decision to drain their beloved Beehive Dam, and they want heads to roll.
With more than 50 signatures, the petition will eventually be sent to Premier Anna Bligh, in a bid to hold someone accountable.
Wallangarra/Jennings Fishing Club president Michael Hurtz said residents were still coming to terms with the situation.
"The main reason we're putting it in (petition) is to make (the council) aware of how angry we are," he said.
"We want them to investigate it. We could have used the fish if they'd warned us. We're neglected and forgotten about all the time - until it's rates time."
Mr Hurtz said it was hard to believe environmental standards were met after what he claimed to be "thousands" of protected fish and crayfish were lost.
An explanation letter from the mayor was printed in the Border Post (January 10), but Mr Hurtz said it was too late.
Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) acting regional services director (south-west) Ed Donohue said no permits were required to drain the dam.
But despite the dam being a council-owned asset, Mr Donohue said council had a responsibility to avoid causing environmental harm.
"DERM is making inquiries into the release of water from Beehive Dam," he said.
