[Greens-Media] Ombudsman steps into Tillegra secrecy stoush

[John Kaye]

Ombudsman steps into Tillegra secrecy stoush
 
Media release: 13 August 2009
 
The NSW Ombudsman will investigate Hunter Water's use of loopholes in Freedom of Information legislation to maintain a veil of secrecy over the proposed Tillegra dam, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
 
Dr Kaye said: "Hunter Water refused to release documents relating to the decision to proceed with the project and data that would allow opponents to assess the impacts of the site geology on the cost of building the dam.
 
"The Ombudsman has now decided to investigate Hunter Water's claim that the state's Freedom of Information Act did not require them to produce the documents. 
 
"There is a strong case that Hunter Water misused the exemptions in the Act to hide both the geological data and the absence of planning studies.
 
"The Rees government wants to commit the residents of the Hunter to a $477 million dam. At the same time its water supply authority is keeping the community in the dark about the decision making leading up to the original announcement and the potential impact of the site geology on the eventual cost.
 
"With so much at stake, Hunter Water should be open and transparent in its dealing with the community. Instead it is hiding behind technicalities to disguise the unpleasant truths of the Tillegra proposal.
 
"Hunter Water's attempted use of loopholes in the Freedom of Information legislation could come unstuck.
 
"Claiming Cabinet in confidence on documents is one of the oldest tricks in the book but Hunter Water might have pushed it too far. It beggars belief that all of the detailed planning studies for the dam ended up in the cabinet room.
 
"We are confident their use of the exemption for working papers will not stand up to scrutiny. The law says clearly that it does not apply to statistical and factual information which is exactly what the No Tillegra Dam Group asked for.  
 
"Premier Rees promised NSW a new era of accountability and openness. It looks like the red hot go has not reached Hunter Water yet," 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