The NSW Greens have condemned the NSW Government’s introduction today of a Bill that will allow the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park to be inundated as a result of the raising of the Warragamba Dam wall.
More than 3000 hectares of World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park, wild rivers and dozens of important Aboriginal sites could be destroyed forever if these laws go ahead and the dam wall is raised by 14 metres or more.
NSW Greens spokesperson for Urban Water Justin Field said the Berejiklian Government had committed two acts of extreme environmental vandalism in the past two days, with a backflip on marine sanctuaries and now threatening the iconic and much-love Blue Mountains World Heritage area.
“The NSW Government’s agenda of trashing our environmental protections is gathering pace as the State election approaches,” Mr Field said today.
“To introduce legislation that will allow the destruction of Sydney’s iconic wild rivers before the Environmental Impact Assessment and community consultation for the project is even completed shows this Government has no respect for the community or environment.
“The Blue Mountains National Park is much-loved by locals and attracts tourists from all over Australia and overseas to marvel at its beauty and wildlife.
“It was a privilege to walk the banks of the Kowmung River last year and see first-hand its pristine beauty and significance as part of Sydney’s drinking water catchment. The wild Kowmung has remained little changed for centuries, but the government could wipe out large tracts overnight.
“This is a treasured natural asset that is envied by the rest of the world, yet the NSW Government will now risk it by raising the Warragamba Dam wall.
“The precious, clear water of the Kowmung River flows straight into Sydney's drinking water supply and sustains the life of local native plants and animals. If the Warragamba dam wall is raised, the river banks will slump, beautiful and endangered trees will die and the soil and silt will run straight down into the dam.
“The Greens strongly oppose the flooding of thousands of hectares of World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park and the Warragamba Dam wall raising. We need to invest in water efficiency, recycling and re-use, not expensive, environmentally destructive dams,” he said.
