Society

Dr Moyes questions the justification for Tillegra Dam

Rev the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes AC MLC, an Independent Member of the Legislative Council, has questioned the NSW Government’s plans to build Tillegra Dam after an independent analysis into water supplies to the Hunter Valley has found that there is a one-in-a-million chance of current water supplies being low enough to justify building a proposed dam.

The Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) in the University of Technology Sydney released “An Independent Review of the Need for Tillegra Dam” Report which found the NSW Government prevented IPART, the independent economic regulator for NSW, from examining whether the proposed dam was needed or not.

The findings of the report show that the region can satisfy its own water supply needs for the next 40 years as a result of the construction of a new pipeline from Mardi to Mangrove. Also, the most recent regional climate change modelling by the University of Newcastle has found no significant change in rainfall or runoff in the Hunter in their forecasts to 2080.

Since the early 1980s, there have been no water restrictions imposed on consumers in the Lower Hunter. The Institute for Sustainable Futures report found that water consumption in the Lower Hunter in 2007/08 was the lowest recorded for 40 years.

Rev the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes said, “The contents of the report shows further evidence that Lower Hunter is far from an emergency situation with regards to either long term water supply or drought security. This is a clear signal to the NSW Government to revoke its plans to build Tillegra Dam. This is an opportunity for the NSW Government to genuinely consult and involve the community and stakeholders on urban water strategy in the Lower Hunter.”

Dr Moyes commented, “The announcement of Tillegra Dam was not based on water resource planning but for political reasons. The NSW Government wishes to secure electorate votes both in the Central Coast and Hunter region.” The NSW Government announced its intention to build the project on November 13, 2006 five days after former NSW Aboriginal Affairs minister Milton Orkopoulos was charged with 30 child sex and drugs offences.

Furthermore, IPART estimated that for an average quarterly bill there will be an increase of approximately $30. Hunter Water Corporation has announced on its website that new costs take effect as of July 2009. In January 2009, the Newcastle Herald reported that approximately 13,000 Hunter Water ratepayers are on payment plans. This staggering figure reflects the financial hardship experienced by families and pensioners in the region.

Dr Moyes concluded, “With the connection of the Central Coast’s two main dams by a large pipeline coupled by the rational reasoning outlined by the ISF Report, there is no need for the construction of Tillegra Dam.”

Advertisement

• Victoria's Secret model quits, want to be a better role model for young Christians
• Uniting Church minister supports inquiry into PIP breast implants
• Combined Churches of Townsville awarded for community outreach
• Australian Catholic Bishops Conference names national WYD 2013 pilgrimage tour provider
• Islamic extremists behead another convert in Somalia

• Coptic Christian nominated for 2012 Nobel Peace Prize for work in Cairo
• Bob Marley was Christian long before death, said to have Called upon Jesus on his deathbed
• Why sport and the church go hand in hand
• Obama at National Prayer Breakfast talks faith and deeds, impact of meeting Billy Graham

Combined Churches of Townsville awarded for community outreach

The Neighbour to Neighbour program, which is the combined Churches of Townsville National Day of Thanksgiving community..