Key NSW govt agencies can Tillegra Environment Assessment

The official submissions to the Department of Planning from the NSW Office of Water and the Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority (CMA) accuse the proposal of not conforming to state law and policy, being based on outdated climate change information and damaging the Hunter wetlands.

Dr Kaye said: "The NSW government cannot hide from these criticisms by saying they are the minority view of a few malcontents.

"These are the official submissions of two key agencies responsible for the management of the Williams and Hunter River valleys.

"Senior public servants are officially telling the Department of Planning that Tillegra is unnecessary and will have catastrophic consequences for the environment. Both submissions complained of Hunter Water's poor quality modelling and out-of-date information.

"Neither Planning Minister Tony Kelly nor Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett can ignore these indictments.

"Any approval of the dam would fly in the face of the official advice of the two government bodies charged with protecting the catchment.

"The CMA and the Office of Water savaged Hunter Water's modelling of the impacts on the Hunter wetlands that Peter Garrett has a legal obligation to defend.

"The Federal Environment Minister now knows that at least two NSW government agencies think that approving Tillegra would be playing Russian roulette with the future of these wetlands.

"Premier Kristina Keneally inherited Tillegra from her predecessors.

"As a former planning minister she should take heed of the official advice and step and abandon the project," Dr Kaye said.

For more information:    John Kaye 0407 195 455