[Greens-Media] Central Coast residents facing Tillegra Dam water price shock

[John Kaye]

Central Coast residents facing Tillegra Dam water price shock 
 
Media Release: 14 August 2008
 
The construction of Tillegra Dam near Dungog could cause Central Coast water bills to blow out by up to 84 per cent, even though the dam is completely unnecessary, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
 
Commenting on a story on page 12 of today's Australian ('Warning that dam built on fault lines will blow out local water bills'), Dr Kaye said: "Our analysis shows that the proposed dam on the Williams River could add another $262 a year to household water bills in the Lower Hunter and Central Coast.
 
"That's an 84 per cent increase in Wyong and Gosford Shires.
 
"Expert geotechnical advice suggests that the site is unstable and construction costs could rise to $1 billion, despite the government sticking to a $300 million figure.
 
"The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal is currently working out how to pass that cost onto residents in the Lower Hunter and the Central Coast.
 
"The Greens' modelling of their process suggests that households are in for a rough time.
 
"The dam is unnecessary. Neither water district faces shortages in the foreseeable future. 
 
"During the recent drought, Newcastle residents were not subject to restrictions. The link between Mardi to Mangrove Creek dams, which has received federal government funding, will boost Central Coast supplies during future droughts. 
 
"Tillegra is shaping up to be the Wyong, Gosford and Newcastle's very own version of Sydney's desalination plant.
 
"The decision to push ahead with the dam was based on political convenience. 
 
"The project was announced during the last election by Premier Morris Iemma shortly after then Aboriginal Affairs Minister Milton Orkopoulos was charged with child sex abuse and drugs matters.
 
"The Iemma government is forcing the residents of the Central Coast and the Lower Hunter to foot the bill for a supply project over which they have no control and which is entirely unnecessary," Dr Kaye said. 
 
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455 
 
 
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John Kaye
Greens member of the NSW Parliament
phone: (02) 9230 2668
fax: (02) 9230 2586
mobile: 0407 195 455
email: john.kaye at parliament.nsw.gov.au
web: www.johnkaye.org.au
 
mail: Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000