[Greens-Media] Tillegra decision was political: Hunter households to pay

[John Kaye]

Tillegra decision was political: Hunter households to pay
 
Media release: 19 December 2008
 
A thorough search of NSW government and Hunter Water documents revealed that there were no planning studies justifying the Tillegra dam before it was announced in November 2006, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
 
Commenting on a story in today's Newcastle Herald ('Tillegra Dam move 'political' - Greens'), Dr Kaye said: "We trawled through the 320 emails, memos and reports from state government departments and the water utility, released after the NSW Upper House passed the Greens' 'call for papers' motion.
 
"We looked for planning studies or other economic analysis that would justify the construction of the massive dam near Dungog.
 
"Given the impacts on Lower Hunter household water bills, a responsible government would have thoroughly explored the alternatives and carefully checked out the impacts on water supply, bills and the environment.
 
"The startling absence of any such materials prior to the 13 November 2006 announcement of the project points the finger directly at political expedience.
 
"Then Premier Morris Iemma was playing Russian roulette with household budgets. His successor, Nathan Rees, has continued with the myth that Tillegra is needed and that it is the most effective water supply option.
 
"The Rees government is dumping the cost of Tillegra onto the people of Newcastle, with the bill having already blown out to $406 million. It could be as high as a $1 billion.
 
"The torrent of work after the announcement suggests that Hunter Water was struggling to justify the project. 
 
"The project went from being the second most expensive water supply option to being the must-have dam.
 
"Early next year, the Greens will be asking the NSW Upper House to order the release more materials that show what the government's water supply experts really thought of the project after it was announced. 
 
"We will also seek to have the privileged documents made public," 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