Hunter residents say can the dam

• Almost 9 out of 10 residents (88%) have heard of the proposed Tillegra Dam.
• An overwhelming 61% oppose the Tillegra Dam.
• Less than a quarter (24%) support Tillegra.
• 77% believe there are cheaper and less damaging alternatives.
• 73% think it is not at all appropriate for residents to pay for the dam through increased water rates.
• 73% thought that the dam is expensive and the money could be better spent elsewhere in the Hunter.

Greens NSW MP John Kaye said: "Tillegra is not only unnecessary, damaging and expensive. It is also deeply unpopular.
 
"The Keneally government has been given a loud and unambiguous message: drop the dam.
 
"The government's own senior water experts told them the dam is unnecessary. The environment movement and the local community established how damaging and expensive the project would be.
 
"Now the community is saying they don't want a 0.5 billion litre, $477 million storage on the Williams River.
 
"Hunter Water and the state government are on their own.
 
"If the new Premier wants to rebuild trust with the Hunter community, she should bring the water utility under control and dump the dam proposal.
 
"Resident opinion exactly matches the expert advice. The dam is unnecessary, the money better spent elsewhere and the Williams River will be devastated.
 
"The Keneally government will face a tough time in at least three Hunter electorates and a deeply unpopular project like Tillegra will make life even more difficult for a struggling Labor party," Dr Kaye said.
 
A copy of the survey results is available on request.
 
For more information: John Kaye  0407 195 455