Warragamba Dam raising: Mayor Mark Greenhill fears for plan

There are fears a major dam project would not only lead to the destruction of World Heritage listed wilderness in the Blue Mountains but would also result in the area being stripped of the prestigious status.

A mayor has condemned the latest plans for the raising of the Warragamba Dam – claiming it will destroy World Heritage listed wilderness.

Blue Mountains Mayor, Mark Greenhill, spoke out against the release of the latest environmental impact statement (EIS) for the raising of the Warragamba Dam wall.

“Let’s be clear. This could spell the end of the World Heritage listing for the Blue Mountains. It’s as simple as that,” Mayor Greenhill said.

The Blue Mountains Council formally opposed the NSW Government’s proposal in January 2019, claiming it posed serious and irreparable damage to Gundungurra Country.

Mayor Greenhill and local conservation groups are in opposition to the EIS. Picture by Renee Nowytarger

“The raising of the Warragamba Dam will destroy World Heritage listed wilderness on Sydney’s doorstep and desecrate indigenous heritage and threatened biodiversity. Why? To satisfy the NSW Government’s unrelenting quest to reach housing targets in western Sydney.”

The project’s environmental impact statement (EIS) has recently been released and sets out the specifics of the proposal.

Mayor Greenhill said the EIS was flawed.

“Just one quarter of the impact area has been surveyed for its Aboriginal cultural significance. Impacts to threatened species have only been considered for one quarter of the impact area.”

The Blue Mountains is home to indigenous sites like Three Sisters in Katoomba.

The Blue Mountains also holds Aboriginal cave art which Aboriginal Heritage Conservation Officer Sharon Riley works on preserving. Picture: DAVID HILL

Aboriginal Heritage Conservation Officer Mark Simon shows the size of an infants hand print in a cave in the Blue Mountains. Picture: DAVID HILL

The Colong Foundation for Wilderness group has also spoken out about the project.

“The 4000 page release of the environmental impact statement (EIS) for the raising of Warragamba Dam is simply the latest act in an ongoing political farce“, group general manager Harry Burkitt said.

He said the project would lead to the “destruction of priceless indigenous heritage and some of Australia‘s most threatened species”.

“Last year the Commonwealth Environment Department expressed the view that the dam project was likely to have ‘extensive and significant impacts’ on the national and World Heritage values of the Blue Mountains,” he said. “Nothing has changed.”

Local activists are worried that the EIS could mean the end of the heritage listing for the Blue Mountains.

The Blue Mountains Conservation Society also stands against the project.

“The project ignores expert advice around sensible alternatives at the cost of our wild rivers and sacred heritage,” president Tara Cameron said.

“Having fought for world heritage status for the Blue Mountains, we will not stand idly by to see this undermined and will engage strongly during the EIS process.”

Give a Dam protesters including Phil Bradley (far left) get ready to protest outside the Smec office at Parramatta in 2019.

Give a Dam protesters outside the Smec office at Parramatta in 2019.

WaterNSW was approached for comment. A spokesman redirected the Penrith Press to the EIS’ s FAQ page.

WaterNSW claims the project would not impact upon the heritage listing of the Blue Mountains.

“The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) concludes that the project impacts to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area (GBMWHA) would not result in a loss in values that would lead to change in listing status,” WaterNSW said.

Its website states it has collaborated with Aboriginal groups since 2017, adding: “There were 22 Aboriginal representatives who became the Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs) for the Project.

“The consultation process undertaken for the Project followed the current NSW framework, being the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Consultation requirements for proponents.”

WaterNSW said raising the dam is the best option, adding: “Raising Warragamba Dam for flood mitigation is the most effective option as it provides a single point of mitigation for the catchment that has the largest contribution to regional floods.”

To find out more about the project, visit: waternsw.com.au/projects/greater-sydney/warragamba-dam-raising.