Government questioned on need for Tillegra dam
Local member for the Upper Hunter, Mr George Souris MLA on 27 September 2007 has put the following questions (see Hansard record) to the Minister for Climate Change Environment and Water (Philip Koperberg AO MP)-
“With respect to Tillegra Dam:
(1) Why has Hunter Water not consulted the local community following the release of its “Why Tillegra Now”paper, which promotes “securing our water future”?
(2) Is Hunter Water using its monopoly powers to railroad the process without consultation?
(3) Why has Hunter Water committed the region to dam building while other Australian cities and their water authorities are diversifying their sources of water through recycling and rainwater harvesting?
(4) Why is Hunter Water planning a dam which is three times more water than is needed by 2031 and which will discourage recycling?
(5) What is the cost to the community in ignoring the more sustainable, flexible and less damaging alternatives?
(6) Why does Hunter Water not have a water plan, as do Sydney and Gosford and Wyong Councils, yet is pursuing the construction of Tillegra Dam without consultation and community debate?”
Typical of this government’s treatment of regional issues, the Minister has not answered the questions to date!
dsmith said:
I too wonder what the real cost of this dam might be, especially in non-dollar terms. But just sticking with the financial aspect, it is of real concern that the $300 million estimated to build this dam is just a guess. There seems to be no detailed budget coming from Hunter Water. Recent experiences in New Zealand where dam construction costs have blown out 10-fold, and not to mention the 20-fold blow out (to $410M, which is greater than the estimate for Tillegra dam!) just for the Stage 3 augmentation to Grahamstown reservoir makes one wonder will the Tillegra dam bankrupt this government?
admin said:
This is democracy in action…
The Minister for Climate Change Environment and Water, Mr Koperberg finally answered the parliamentary questions of Mr Souris MLA on the 7 November. Of the 6 questions he passed the buck on 5 by not addressing them at all – “These matters fall under the portfolio responsibilities of the Minister for Water Utilities.” And with regards to question (5) his response does not answer the question at all.
I am not sure of the process now, will the other Minister now reply (I doubt it!) or does Mr Souris have to re submit the questions to the other Minister and again wait months.