BIG MISTAKE: TILLEGRA DAMNED
Wednesday, 16 September 2009 13:21
The Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed Tillegra Dam confirms the worst fears about environmental damage to the Williams River and sensitive habitat, while failing to demonstrate any need for the project or properly consider alternatives, Total Environment Centre (TEC) said today.
“Groups opposing Tillegra Dam have argued all along that it would devastate the ecology of the Williams River,” said TEC Water Campaigner, Mr Leigh Martin. “It will inundate thousands of hectares of important habitat and seriously harm native fish populations. All these impacts and more are confirmed by the environmental assessment.”
The EA does nothing to counter arguments that the half billion dollar dam is not needed and that cheaper and less environmentally damaging options are available to provide long term drought security for the Hunter.
“A recent report by the Institute for Sustainable Futures and the University of Technology Sydney poured cold water on the Tillegra proposal and identified cheaper and better water security for the region. The EA does nothing to address these concerns or even properly assess alternatives.
“Meanwhile Hunter Water continues to provide massive discounts to discourage industry from switching to recycled water and refuses to pursue sensible water conservation measures that have proven effective elsewhere,” Mr Martin said.
The EA also fails to fully assess the greenhouse impacts of a new dam in the Hunter.
“It has been proven that large dams are major sources of dangerous greenhouse gasses such as methane from decaying vegetation and other matter. The EA fails to properly address this fact or compare emissions from Tillegra Dam with alternative water supply options,” Mr Martin said.
TEC has called on the NSW Government and Hunter water to immediately abandon Tillegra Dam and plan for sustainable water management in the Hunter.
“If it goes ahead Tillegra Dam will subject Hunter residents to decades of higher water bills for a dam they simply do not need. Its time to stop this project and provide long term sustainable water management solutions for the Hunter,” Mr Martin said.
