Billabong Creek Environmental Water Regulators

I would like to comment on several issues that arise in this EIS. Please note that the comments may not be directed to a specific Appendices or section, but I have to the best of my ability tried. This is a very large document.
The main concerns I have are in regard to the construction phase of the Wanganella Regulator. As the landholder that leases both the North and South Wanganella Common, we will be directly impacted during the construction period.
Heavy vehicle and construction vehicles using both the Zara Rd and the weir road, on the Northern bank at Wanganella, will impact the stock grids from the TSR (Travelling Stock Route) to the Common.
The grid on the Zara Rd, whilst rated for trucks, will be impacted by increased road traffic and require cleaning out at the end, and possibly during the construction phase. I suggest using the double gates, adjacent to this grid, for trucks and other heavy equipment. During the construction phase we, as the land holders, may be able to destock the Common to allow the use of these gates during the day.
On the North side the current grid is not in a fit state to carry the required construction traffic and will need replacing before the project begins. There are double gates adjacent to the grid, but these may be impassable during wet periods, due to them being in the bottom of a gully.
Appendix P, referring to the traffic numbers and flow needs to address the access from the North side onto the Cobb Hwy, turning right (South) onto the bridge. This is a very dangerous corner as the traffic travelling North over the bridge is approaching on a sweeping right hand corner with limited vision to the north. I have attached a photo of the view from the Weir road, looking south as if turning onto the Cobb Hwy to the South. The sight distance is very short considering that the trucks and trailers turning onto the road will be very slow. Those trucks, often road trains, heading north over the bridge have little time to react or brake.
There will also be increased heavy vehicle traffic on the Cobb Hwy due to 2 very large transmission line projects, Energy Connect and VNI West, plus a number of renewable energy projects that will be progressing at a similar time. This intersection will need to be addressed in the traffic management plan.
Appendix P Section 3.1.4 does not mention the school bus route, that runs twice a day from Deniliquin to Wanganella and back to Deniliquin. This bus picks up children from adjacent to the Wanganella Hall, in Lang Street and will need to be considered. There is also a school bus run to and from Deniliquin to Conargo.
The Cobb Hwy is a major Travelling Stock Route, which has large mobs of cattle and sheep traversing and periodically crossing the Billabong Creek at Wanganella. There will be times when traffic will need to be disrupted, for short periods, to allow stock to cross the bridge, from either direction. We will walk mobs of sheep, varying in size from 1-2000 head, over the bridge 3-4 times a year and expect this to be taken into account during construction. Stock traversing bridges in "Stock Zones" have right of way over vehicles in NSW. We will liaise with traffic controllers when we are moving stock.
Appendix L. The spread of noxious weeds by vehicles. The presence of Spiny Burrgrass (Cenchrus Spinifex) in trafficable areas, and the subsequent spread by construction vehicles, is of particular concern. This plant has infestations on the verges of the Cobb Highway, from south of the Zara Rd intersection to north of the Lang St intersection. Also there is an infestation opposite the Wanganella Store on the West side of the Cobb Highway. Vehicles traversing these areas are liable to spread this highly invasive weed, as well as Khaki weed ( Alternanthera pungens), which is also present. This risk needs to be addressed.
The Operating Rules for the Regulators will need to be flexible and reviewed once the regulators are completed. YACTAC will need to be consulted, as it has been throughout this process.
A general comment on the exhibition period for this EIS is that it has been too short considering the substantial size of the document. Whilst it has met legislative requirements for the exhibition period, this has fallen at the same time as a number of other government papers requiring submissions, for example Billabong Creek Floodplain Management Plan and IPART Water Pricing Determination.
Please feel free to contact me for further comments.

Please find attached a submission from Edward River Council

I would like to commend those involved in developing this project which I see as essential in the modernising of dilapidated infrastructure but also going a long way to provide the system with much smarter and efficient water use.
No matter what infrastructure projects are constructed there is always going to be a disruption to the environment of the specific location the mention of obtaining biodiversity off sets needs further clarification.
I would have thought rather than a financial offset a more “like for like “ off set would be more applicable in this situation ie an off set within a similar environment and geographic location .
I am very sceptical of these type of projects making a financial contribution to a government Biodiversity Fund as a means of offsetting the biodiversity impacts of construction.
Was the use of Solar and battery storage given consideration in providing the necessary power for the operation of the two in creek projects.
I was unable to find the “ New operating Rules “for irrigation escapes.
Like the Renewable projects within our area I doubt government contracts for construction will be prioritised locally.
Whilst as stated I think the projects are much needed for The Billabong /Yanco Creek system ,I question the ability and skill set of Water NSW to manage the flow regime of the Creek System to accommodate a more flexible timing of irrigation scheduling and environmental flows .
Well done to those who have put an enormous amount of time into making this project a reality and ensuring a healthy creek system with a continuous flow regime.