Project/News
Anti-Tillegra study used simplified and inaccurate analysis
The recently released Kingsford-Hankin study, The impact of the proposed Tillegra Dam on the Hunter River Estuary its Ramsar wetlands and migratory shorebirds, uses a highly simplified relationship between salinity and flow.
Dr Brian Sanderson, an expert whose studies into salinity in the Hunter River Estuary were regularly referenced in the Kingsford-Hankin study, has dismissed the basis for the study in this area as “dead wrong.” See Dr Sanderson’s comments for yourself and make up your mind based on the facts.
The Kingsford-Hankin study was undertaken without consultation with Hunter Water. Hunter Water would have welcomed the opportunity to work with the authors to assist them with their research.
As part of the Environmental Assessment Process, a multi-disciplinary team led by Professor Max Finlayson from Charles Sturt University - currently the Thematic Advisor to the Scientific and Technical Review Panel of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands – undertook extensive analysis of the potential effects of Tillegra Dam and found there would be no significant impact on the wetlands.
Experts from the NSW Department of Planning are currently assessing the Environmental Assessment Report for Tillegra Dam along with public submissions and reports.
Dr Sanderson made additional comments in a story printed by The Herald on Saturday 19 June 2010:
“I am quite certain they are sincere scientists. They appear, however, to know very little about fluid mechanics and have used my work in a way that I would characterise as being incorrect.”
“. . it seems safe to say that Tillegra Dam isn't going to have much impact on this `important site'."
Hunter Water used daily data for its flow analysis
The Kingsford-Hankin study incorrectly states that Hunter Water used average yearly data when it used daily data.
In its study into the potential impact of Tillegra Dam on the Hunter estuary, Hunter Water used extensive daily records, not annual average data. Hunter Water used this daily data to assess the effects of Tillegra Dam on fresh water flows into the estuary.
The use of daily data is mentioned throughout the Environmental Assessment Report, for example Section 10.3 (page 10.18), Section 10.4.3 (Page 10.22) Figure 10.8 and “Historic Daily Flows” (page 10.24).
Recommendations in the Tillegra Dam Environmental Assessment Report
An article in Sydney Morning Herald on 22 June 2010 claimed that Hunter Water interfered with an expert report about the potential impact of Tillegra Dam on the Hunter Estuary Wetlands.
This claim was based on an email provided by Hunter Water under a parliamentary call for papers.
To finalise an Environmental Assessment Report there will always be collaborative discussion between project teams and consultants engaged as part of the project.
Read the email asking Professor Max Finlayson to consider some alternate recommendations to those presented in the draft report and make up your mind based on the facts.
Professor Finlayson’s recommendations in the draft report suggested Hunter Water undertake a broad range of monitoring, much of which is already performed by the managers of the wetlands. Hunter Water’s response was to expand these three recommendations to eight, making them more specific and suggesting additional monitoring within the estuary.
Recommendations in an Environmental Assessment Report are for the consideration of the NSW Department of Planning.
As part of the Environmental Assessment process, a multi-disciplinary team led by Professor Max Finlayson from Charles Sturt University - currently the Thematic Advisor to the Scientific and Technical Review Panel of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands – undertook extensive analysis of the potential effects of Tillegra Dam and found there would be no significant impact on the wetlands.
To see Professor Finlayson’s conclusions, visit the Tillegra Dam Environmental Assessment Report – Vol 2, page 154, Appendix 6.
IPART Determination of Hunter Water Prices
"This opinion piece appeared in the Newcastle Herald on Saturday July 4, 2009."
For more information click here.
Engagement of Team of Wetlands Experts
Hunter Water has engaged a team of wetland experts to provide more specialist advice on the potential impacts that the proposed Tillegra Dam will have on the Hunter Estuary Ramsar wetlands located 100km downstream.
For more information click here.
EOI for Dam Delivery Experts
Hunter Water will advertise this weekend for expressions of interest from infrastructure delivery companies to assist with the detailed design of two major components of the proposed Tillegra Dam project.
Hunter Water Tillegra Dam Project Manager Nicole Holmes said input from these companies would assist the current team working on the final detailed designs of the proposed dam embankment and the new Salisbury Road.
For more information click here.
Road Relocation Options
The proposed Tillegra Dam will cut a section of around 15 kilometres of the existing Salisbury Road, located between Tillegra Bridge and Underbank. An alternative route must be provided & Six potential road relocation options were identified and placed on public exhibition in May/June 2007 – refer to the brochure and feedback form. A report on the outcome of the public exhibition process by Consultants GHD is available by clicking here
Hunter Water convened a stakeholder workshop in Dungog in August 2007 to further refine the preferred route for the affected section of Salisbury Road from a whole-of-community perspective. Participants at the workshop included members of the Tillegra Dam Community Reference Group, Dungog Council, Telstra, Department of Planning, and Bendolba-Salisbury Rural Fire Service. A report on the workshop process and outcomes is available by clicking here.
Hunter Water subsequently engaged Opus International Consultants to undertake the design of the new road.Opus International will undertake detailed modelling of the terrain, geotechnical and hydrological parameters to fine-tune the road alignment, long-sections and cross-sections.
A number of roads in the Quart Pot Creek area will also be impacted by the dam proposal. A preferred route has been determined in consultation with the affected landowners in the area, along with agency stakeholders.
Part 3A Environmental Assessment Process
In November 2007 the NSW Minister for Planning, formally declared the Tillegra Dam proposal to be “of State and regional environmental planning significance”. The proposal is subject to rigorous assessment under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act.
Matters to be considered include potential impacts on:
- Water quality
- Environmental water flows
- Riparian vegetation
- Cultural and heritage values
- Terrestrial flora and fauna
- Movement of fish and other aquatic species
- Socio-economic impacts and opportunities
Hunter Water lodged the Tillegra Dam Project Application (accompanied by the Preliminary Environmental Assessment report) with the NSW Department of Planning in November 2007.
Hunter Water has undertaken extensive investigations in the development of the Environmental Assessment Report (EAR). The EAR will outline the findings of the environmental and social investigations, identifying impacts of the proposed dam and how Hunter Water proposes to manage those impacts. The Department of Planning will place the EAR on public exhibition, providing the opportunity for all stakeholders, including interested members of the community, to comment formally on the proposal. Click here for the steps in the Part 3A environmental assessment process.
Dungog Shire Council Planning Review
Hunter Water is sponsoring a land use planning review initiated by Dungog Shire Council. Consultants Planning Workshop Australia are assisting Council in its understanding and response to the strategic implications of the proposed construction of Tillegra Dam.
The work includes a review of Council’s Local Environmental Plan, Development Control Plans, as well as strategic documents such as Council’s tourism and economic policies.
For more information, visit Dungog Shire Council.