Experts pull the plug on dam
Can Minister Costa read? Over the past couple of months expert reports have come out, either independently or uncovered in Department of Planning documents tabled by order of a Greens motion in the NSW Legislative Council that clearly rock the foundations of Hunter Water Corporation’s, as well as Water Minister Costa’s claims that Tillegra Dam is the best option for water security for the Hunter and the Central Coast, since it is an important customer of Hunter water. The reports cover economic, social, environmental and hydrological and reveal the falsehoods of HWCs arguments.
An independent review for the Planning Department rejects the Tillegra Dam conclusion – the review, commissioned by the NSW Department of Planning, was conducted by the well-respected independent economics consultancy, Centre for International Economics, suggested that Hunter Water go back to the drawing board and investigate a range of other options. The report urged HWC to collect more detailed information about the environmental and social impacts of the portfolios considered.
Another independent review commissioned by the NSW Department of Planning seriously questions the figures and conclusions made by HWC on the hydrology of the Williams River.
An internal memo of NSW Department of Planning on heritage matters states clearly that HWC seem to be avoiding best practice requirements.
And critically, an independent review of the salinty implications for the proposed building of Tillegra Dam on Hunter River Estuary by world renowned wetland and bird expert Dr Richard Kingsford argues that the dam would have an unacceptable impact on the wetlands, fish, prawns and migratory bird species.