Dam is canned!
Premier Kristina Keneally announced this morning that Tillegra Dam won’t go ahead. “The project is not in the public interest”. Yippee! The Planning Department’s decision is here. The Director General’s summary is here and the Minister’s instrument of refusal is here. Read the ABC news report.
“There is inadequate justification for the proposal as the best option to meet the long term water suppy needs of the Hunter Region.”
“The Department therefore considers that the precautionary principle should be invoked on the basis of the significant residual uncertainty about the impacts of the project within the Williams River, the Hunter Estuary, the Ramsar Wetlands and other water users within the Hunter System and Tidal Pool. Additionally, the Proponent has other water supply options available that it could pursue to achieve its needs. Subsequently, the Department is of the view that the proposal is not in the public interest and should be refused.”