Public comment on EA Report
There will only be 30 days in which to submit a comment or critique on the Environmental Assessment Report (EAR) by Hunter Water (HW) on the Tillegra Dam proposal. HW expects to submit the EAR to the Department of Planning for formal consideration around mid-2008 (late July-August?). The EAR will outline the findings of the environmental and social investigations, identifying impacts of the proposed dam and how HW proposes to manage those impacts. Matters to be considered include potential impacts on:
* Water quality
* Environmental water flows
* Riparian vegetation
* Cultural and heritage values
* Terrestrial flora and fauna
* Movement of fish and other aquatic species
* Socio-economic impacts and opportunities
Submissions need to be posted to: The Director, Major Infrastructure Assessments, Department of Planning, GPO Box 39, Sydney NSW 2001
A full list of the relevant government policies can be found here.
The Department of Planning will place the EAR on public exhibition around mid-2008, providing the opportunity for all stakeholders, including interested members of the community, to comment formally on the proposal. All you have to do is write a letter – it does not have to be anything fancy, just your opinion on any issue relating to this proposal.
HW can be required to respond in writing to issues raised in submissions and provide a preferred project report, which outlines any proposed changes to the project to minimise its environmental impact. If it is determined that the proposed changes significantly alter the nature of the project, HW may be required to make the preferred project report available to the public.
The law requires that all key project documents, including project declarations, applications and environmental assessments be made publicly available and can be accessed at the Dept of Planning website. A copy of the environmental assessment part of the planning process can be downloaded here. And the major project assessments system can be accessed here.