The Potential Impact of a Proposed Dam on a Platypus Population: A Baseline Study.

Abstract

The population of the far North Coast of New South Wales is growing rapidly. It is estimated that the number of people served by the Rous County water supply will increase threefold in the next fifty years. Steps are being taken to manage demand and to provide an additional source of water by pumping from the Wilson River at Lismore. It is recognised that a new dam will eventually be required. The dam currently providing the bulk of the Rous County supply is on Rocky Creek near Dorroughby. A second dam is planned for Rocky Creek about 10 km downstream from the existing dam. This will be built near Dunoon about 20 km to the north of Lismore. A preliminary study of the distribution of platypuses in the affected area has been carried out using a program of passive observation. Of the nine pools observed in the program platypuses have been seen in seven. No attempt has been made to estimate the actual size of the platypus population. There appears to be sufficient evidence that the building of the proposed dam could have an impact on the platypus. Recommendations have been addressed to the planners of the dam urging that special provision be made to minimise its impact on the platypus population.