[Greens-Media] Independent water reports can Tillegra modelling

[John Kaye]

Independent water reports can Tillegra modelling
 
Media release: 1 October 2010
 
Two reports commissioned by the NSW Department of Planning rejected the validity, rigour, accuracy and interpretation of Hunter Water's modelling of Tillegra Dam's impacts on water flows in the Williams River, the Hunter Estuary and Ramsar-listed wetlands, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye. 
 
(''Mortal blow' to Tillegra Dam plans from reports', Newcastle Herald 1 October 2010, http://bit.ly/nh201001T and 'Investigators undermine accuracy of dam data' Sydney Morning Herald 1 October http://bit.ly/smh101001T)
 
Dr Kaye said: "Yet another series of independent reports undermine the credibility of Hunter Water and the Tillegra Dam proposal.
 
"NSW Planning Minister Tony Kelly and Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke could not now approve the $477 million project unless they are prepared to take a massive gamble on the future survival of the Hunter wetlands and the Williams River.
 
"For the past three years the opponents of this dam have been saying that Tillegra has not been properly assessed. 
 
"These two reports not only vindicate our criticisms. They  make Hunter Water's previous rebuttals look even more deceitful. 
 
"The Keneally government and Hunter Water are buried in an avalanche of adverse reports. 
 
"First it was their absurd 1 in 10 million planning risk criteria and then the CIE report that accused them of failing to properly examine the alternatives. 
 
"Now the very basis of the environmental impact assessment has been shown to lack credibility.
 
"The time has come to call off this farce. 
 
"Water Minister Phil Costa should admit that the dam's opponents had a strong case and put Hunter Water back on the leash," Dr Kaye said.
 
For more information: Dr 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