[Greens-Media] Office of Water in revolt over Tillegra

[John Kaye]

Office of Water in revolt over Tillegra

Media Release: 5 October 2010

The Keneally government's failure to end the Tillegra Dam farce has resulted in a senior officer in the NSW Office of Water breaking ranks with the Water Commissioner and the official line, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye. ('Official's dam submission watered down', SMH 5 October, page 3, http://bit.ly/smh101005T) 

Dr Kaye said: "The Office of Water has gone into open revolt over Tillegra Dam. 

"In an act of desperation a well-respected senior officer has by-passed the Water Commissioner to lodge a rogue submission to the Department of Planning. 

"Despite the impacts on his career, the Manager of Large Projects and Assessments, Mark Mignanelli, felt compelled to warn the Department of Planning of the dire impacts on the Williams and Hunter Rivers.

"The submission predicts that the dam would have unplanned impacts on other water users and the environment. Hunter Water is accused of underestimating the loss of flushing flows to the wetlands and of ignoring the Water Management Act.

"No public servant would take this step lightly. It is a clear measure of the widespread level of concern for the future of the wetlands and the rivers within the Office of Water.

"Mr Mignanelli was not prepared to let Hunter Water visit a Murray-Darling-Basin-like catastrophe on the Williams, the Hunter and the wetlands. 

"Knowing full well that the Commissioner would toe the Keneally government's line on Tillegra, the only course open was to defy the normal protocols and lodge a maverick submission. 

"Although the submission has now been withdrawn, it provides documentary  proof that the Planning Minister Tony Kelly has been warned that Tillegra Dam posses a grave threat to the Williams and Hunter rivers, the wetlands they support and the industries that rely non them," Dr Kaye said.


For more information:	John Kaye 0407 195 455