No Tillegra Dam Group

The Australian Academy of Science High Flyers Think Tank 2006 Report, Innovative technical solutions for water management in Australia is an important report to government that is timely, well received and should be instrumental in influencing policy development.

“The Think Tank participants suggested that Australia should gradually abandon the more expensive, vulnerable and non-sustainable approaches to waste treatment in favour of technological and social innovations that are based on relatively simple and highly sustainable concepts. With some careful choices, there is much to be gained from greater integration of the water supply, stormwater, and wastewater components of the urban water cycle.

Australians place a high value on the natural landscape, and scientific investigations into the principles of natural resource management indicate that preventative action for challenges like salinity can be far less costly than repairing a system left to degrade. For example, dredging rivers clogged with silt that have not been allowed to flush during high flow events can be a very expensive and substantial task.” continue reading » »

Louise Hall in the  Sydney Morning Herald August 21, 2010, writes…

CLAIMS that the case for building the controversial $477 million Tillegra dam is based on outdated climate change and population data and flawed environmental modelling are being taken seriously by the state government.

The Department of Planning commissioned at least four independent experts to review the justifications for the 450 billion-litre dam submitted by the Hunter Water Corporation, including its heavily criticised environmental assessment. The review will also consider a study by a leading wetlands expert, Richard Kingsford, who warned the dam would devastate the internationally recognised wetlands within the Hunter Estuary. Professor Kingsford found Hunter Water used inaccurate calculations to measure changes in river flow wrought by the dam. continue reading » »

At the Stroke of a Pen photographic exhibition has now come down after three months at John Hunter Hospital so the web is it’s only access to the world now….If you want to get a viewing of what’s at stake have a look at the slide show.

The Wilderness Society has criticised both Labor and the Coalition for failing to present clear, positive policies to protect our environment.  The Wilderness Society has released its Federal Environment Policy Priorities for 2010  and identifies the massive threats to the Williams River posed by Tillegra Dam, as a matter of national significance.

The proposed Tillegra Dam is one of a number of critical environmental policy areas requiring a response by all the main parties in this Election.  The Wilderness Society will conduct a full assessment of the environmental policies and performance of the all the parties ahead of election day.

“A clear policy commitment in the lead up to the August 21 election is crucial for the protection of the Williams River” says Justin McKee, Campaigner for The Wilderness Society Newcastle.

The Williams River and its banks are essential habitats for native species like fish, trees and platypus. It feeds the RAMSAR listed Hunter Estuary Wetlands where birds come from all over the world to breed and feed.

The Wilderness Society calls for the major parties to:

·         Publicly acknowledge the serious environmental concerns associated with the proposed Tillegra Dam, including the most recent evidence provided by Professor Richard Kingsford regarding the serious impacts on nearby RAMSAR listed wetlands.  Commit to a full and rigorous assessment process, which includes all the information available.

·         Rule out any Federal facilitation of the dam, including funding.

“Our message to Hunter residents is ‘this is your environment, your future, and your vote’.  It’s important we all know where the main parties stand on the big conservation priorities, so we know what we’re voting for on the 21st  August,” concluded Mr McKee.

The Wilderness Society is hosting a community forum ‘Will the next Federal Government protect the Williams River?’ at 6pm, Tuesday 17th August at Maitland Town Hall.  Attendees will hear from candidates for the seat of Paterson on the dam issue.

Media Contact:            Justin McKee   0404 824 020

Where: Hunter Room, Newcastle City Hall, 290 King St, Newcastle, 2300

When: 6 – 7:45pm Wednesday 28 July, 2010

Why: The Tillegra dam has drawn fire from renowned water planning experts and ecologists, the fishing industry and numerous community groups. More than 8,000 people have made submissions, written to Jodi McKay and Premier Keneally and signed petitions expressing their opposition to this dam. Read more here.

Political speakers include:
·    Jodi McKay, Member for Newcastle, Minister for the Hunter – declined and pending response to request for alternative representative
·    John Kaye, Greens MLC – confirmed
·    John Tate: Newcastle Lord Mayor, Independent candidate – confirmed
·    Robyn Parker, NSW Liberal Party candidate – confirmed
We have also received confirmation that Bob Baldwin (Member for Paterson) and Jan Davis (Greens candidate for Paterson) will be attending.
Community speakers include:
·    Simon Fane, Institute for Sustainable Futures
·    Brad Warren, OceanWatch Australia
·    Antoine Mangion, Combined Pensioners and Superannuates Association NSW
·    Carol Pasenow, Chair No Tillegra Dam Group and family member of landowners in dam inundation area
·    Justin McKee, The Wilderness Society Newcastle
·    Linda Bowden, Tillegra Dam Community Reference Group

A strict format: Firstly, community representatives will very briefly outline their perspective on the proposed dam. Secondly, each political speaker will have three minutes to answer three set questions:

1. Will you stop Tillegra Dam and protect the Williams River?

2. Will you commit to an integrated water resource planning process to develop sustainable urban water strategy for the Lower Hunter that includes genuine public engagement and consideration of all options?

3. Will you direct preferences to a candidate who opposes the Tillegra Dam proposal?

Media logistics / Interviews :        Justin McKee     0404 824 020

Community forum on Tillegra Dam at Newcastle City Hall Wednesday July 28th 2010
(details here)

Community members from Newcastle, Dungog and throughout the Hunter region will gather at Newcastle City Hall tonight to hear political representatives outline their positions on the controversial Tillegra Dam. The meeting has been called ahead of an expected announcement on the dam by the NSW Government.

“Since it was announced, this dam has drawn fire from renowned water planning experts and ecologists, the fishing industry and community groups,” said Pepe Clarke, Nature Conservation Council of NSW. “At tonight’s forum, we’ll hear whether politicians contesting the seat of Newcastle in the March 2011 election support or oppose the dam, and whether they support community involvement in sustainable regional water planning.”

Speakers at tonight’s forum include:
·    Antoine Mangion, Policy Coordinator, Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association of NSW
·    Brad Warren, Executive Chairman, Oceanwatch Australia
·    Carol Pasenow, Dungog community member living in the inundation area
·    Linda Bowden, No Tillegra Dam Group
·    Justin McKee, Campaigner, Wilderness Society Newcastle

“More than 8,000 people have made submissions, written to Jodi McKay and Premier Keneally and signed petitions expressing their opposition to this dam,” said. “Tonight’s forum creates an opportunity for these concerned community members to hear directly from the politicians who may represent Newcastle after the 2011 election.”

“The political process to fast-track this dam has been disgraceful,” said Bev Smyles, Hunter Environment Lobby Inc. “Our members are shocked to see science and due process set aside throughout the decision-making process.”

State member for Newcastle and Minister for the Hunter Jodi McKay has declined her invitation and failed to respond to requests for advice on an alternative speaker.

“This is disappointing considering the NSW Government is the proponent for the proposal,” said Bev Smyles.

Ms McKay has been avoiding interacting with constituents since June as anti-dam protests have increased in frequency and intensity. She has cancelling meetings and other public commitments.

Save the Williams River Coalition groups include the Wilderness Society, No Tillegra Dam Group, National Parks Association, Total Environment Centre and NSW Nature Conservation Council.

Interviews:            Pepe Clarke (02) 9516 1488      Bev Smyles 0428 817 282

Letters to the Editor submitted to Newcastle Herald:

Peter Shinnick (NH, 23/7) is wrong to assert that there is a requirement to boost water supplies in the Lower Hunter and that the Tillegra dam is the most affordable and environmentally sensitive way to do this.

Water demand in the Lower Hunter has dropped by nearly a third since the early 80′s and continues to trend downwards. Drought security is at a 30 year high.

Our analysis in August 2009 demonstrated that simply with a comprehensive water conservation program, similar to Sydney Water’s, the Lower Hunter would not need a new supply before 2050. This included accommodating a population increase of 160,000.

The Lower Hunter does not need the costly and damaging Tillerga dam. What it does need is a Government and business community willing to get behind a sustainable urban water plan that the community can then support.

Dr Simon Fane
Research Director  
The Institute for Sustainable Futures
University of Technology Sydney
——– continue reading » »

The Hunter Business Chamber hypocritically supports the building of Tillegra Dam.  Investing in the Tillegra Dam seems to me to break all the rules the Chamber would apply for responsible business management.

I run a small business.  Hunter Water’s business is very much larger but we both play by similar rules.  We make sure we can supply what our customers want.  We are accountable to our customers.  We keep up with the trends.  We borrow to expand and we are careful to invest in the business only what we are confident will offer a good return.  Thus we stay afloat and make our profits.
continue reading » »

NSW opposition leader Barry O’Farrell has pledged to scrap the Tillegra Dam project saying it was poorly planned and would not fix water shortages in the area. Read more here and here.

Sign the petition!

You are invited to an exhibition of the Williams River Artists’ Project:

30 April – 2 May 2010  10 am-3pm. Entry via free bus from Tocal Agricultural College Field Days (entry fees apply -see www.tocalfielddays.com).  Tocal is 180 km North of Sydney via the F3 Freeway. It is 14 km North of Maitland on the Paterson/Dungog road.

The Williams River Valley Artists’ Project was formed in dismay at the proposal to flood the Williams River valley, Dungog, for the construction of the Tillegra Dam. WRV Artists’ Project is a collective of artists developing work through a series of on-site residencies in the Williams Valley. They aim to add to a movement to protect the Williams River, and to preserve the locality’s unique heritage, community and productive agricultural land. The project is an initiative of its curator Juliet Fowler Smith.