Snowy 2.0 workers’ fury over maggot-infested food

Workers on the federal government’s troubled $5.9bn project are threatening to strike over safety concerns after rotting food was served on site | WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES

Maggots were found in food served to workers on the Snowy Hydro 2.0 project in NSW. Picture: Supplied

Workers on the federal government’s troubled $5.9bn Snowy Hydro 2.0 project are threatening to strike over safety concerns after maggot-infested food was served on site.

The Australian Workers Union warned workers will walk off the job to protect their wellbeing, publishing a number of images revealing maggots in food served at the Tantangara, Lobb’s Hole and Marica worksites in recent weeks.

The union has also claimed employees have been run over by vehicles due to a lack of proper communication and supervision processes on worksites.

Industrial action on the commonwealth’s mega pumped hydro project may further delay its construction, which is now projected to be completed in 2027, six years after it was initially thought.

The project is already facing disruption after its star tunnelling machine Florence became bogged in soft earth, halting the drilling of a vital 27km link between the Tantangara and Talbino reservoirs for some months.

AWU NSW Secretary Tony Callinan said the site was “a tragedy waiting to happen” with the safety of workers at risk.

Mr Callinan blamed cost cutting by the project’s building partner Future Generation joint venture, arguing the company was “cutting every corner they can on food, on safety and on everything else”.

Caterpillars were also found in meals served to workers. Picture: Supplied

The union is blaming cost cutting by the project’s building partner Future Generation joint venture. Picture: Supplied

“Supermax prisoners are served better food than the workers building Snowy Hydro 2.0,” Mr Callinan said.

“The site has an abysmal safety record — it’s an absolute pressure cooker right now. I know workers are considering downing tools if things don’t improve.

“Every week we’re getting reports of serious safety issues on the site including a number of near-death incidents. Blokes getting run over by vehicles backing up because they’re relying on hand signals instead of radio. Equipment that’s been tagged as unsafe having that tag removed by supervisors to speed things up. Industrial drills almost impaling people because proper communication and supervision isn’t in place.”

Energy and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen on Sunday ruled out an independent review into Snowy Hydro 2.0 project, while conceding significant delays were “deeply disappointing”.

The comments come after The Weekend Australian reported growing calls from infrastructure players that Snowy 2.0 should be subject to frequent reviews with performance guidelines from Infrastructure Australia.

Unions are threatening to strike over safety concerns which could further delay the project. Picture: Supplied

Experts have warned that a lack of expertise in tunnelling, as well as cost blowouts and delays, could compromise the National Energy Market as it transitions from fossil fuels to renewables to meet the federal government’s emission reduction targets.

Mr Bowen on Sunday would not commit to commissioning an independent review for the project but argued the government’s recent decision to appoint a new chief executive would provide a “fresh set of eyes”.

“I won’t be down there with a shovel myself,” Mr Bowen told the ABC’s Insiders program. “I will work closely with Snowy management. I’m not here to pretend I’m happy, I’m not. It is deeply disappointing, the delay, because it’s important for the stabilities of the grid. I do recognise this is one of the most complicated engineering projects anywhere in the world at the moment. These tunnels are difficult to build but the previous government made commitments which have not been met in terms of timeline.”

When announced, the Turnbull government promised first power in 2021 at a cost of $2bn.

Latest estimates from Snowy Hydro 2.0 expect the cost to blow out to nearly $6bn and be completed at the end of 2027.

The Australian has contacted Snowy Hydro 2.0 for comment.