Dominic Perrottet vows to raise Warragamba dam wall to prevent floods

The NSW Government has had 12 years to submit a serious proposal regarding the rising of Warragamba Dam and had never done so, Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek says.

The NSW Government has had 12 years to submit a serious proposal regarding the rising of Warragamba Dam and had never done so, Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek says.

Premier Dominic Perrottet has vowed to raise the Warragamba Dam wall by hell or high water, declaring that NSW will go it alone if the federal government refuses to come to the table and split the cost.

But Ms Plibersek fired yesterday fired back saying:“There is currently no proposal before the Federal Government with respect to co-funding Warragamba Dam. Writing one letter to the Federal Infrastructure Minister is not a formal request for funding and the NSW Government knows this.

“There is a clear process that states and territories must follow when it comes to requesting joint funding for water infrastructure projects.

“Projects over $250 million must also be independently assessed by Infrastructure Australia.

“The NSW Government has had nearly 12 years to submit a serious proposal regarding Warragamba Dam. They have never done so.”

Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek.

The day after he committed to potentially funding the $1.6 billion mega project without the Federal Government’s help, Mr Perrottet wouldn’t be drawn on when key environmental assessments would be finalised before the March state election.

He said bureaucrats were working through an Environmental Impact Statement and an independent report by WaterNSW with instructions from himself that the work be completed “as soon as possible”.

“My expectation is that this matter is expedited,” he said.

“That’s why we’ve called it critical infrastructure.

“I don’t want red tape and bureaucracy getting in the way (of) this project.

“The advice I have from the planning minister in relation to timing is that will be done as soon as possible.”

It means the NSW Government could head into the March state election with the uncompleted reports hovering above their heads, in what is shaping as a key election issue, particularly in Sydney’s repeatedly flood-impacted west.

The Windsor Bridge under water during floods in July 2022. Picture: John Grainger

In a move to end ongoing uncertainty about the long-mooted project, Mr Perrottet has committed for the first time that NSW will pay to raise the dam wall even if Canberra does not stump up any money.

“No one wants to see politicians squabble over cash,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“If the Federal Government doesn’t come to the table, then that’s okay, we’ll proceed without them.”

Senior NSW government sources believe that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has privately ruled out providing any money to the project, which is estimated to cost at least $1.6 billion.

That is something on which Mr Albanese has refused to be drawn.

“I’m not going to let money get in the way of protecting the lives of people in Western Sydney,” Mr Perrottet said.

Mr Perrottet on Monday reiterated his strongly belief that the Commonwealth should jointly fund the critically important project.

“We are getting on with the job of raising the dam wall, and when it comes time, the Federal Government should stump up half the cash for this project.

“50/50 with the Federal Government is entirely fair and reasonable given this is a nationally significant project,” he said.

“However, I want to make it crystal clear that this project isn’t contingent on 50/50 funding,” he said.

PM Anthony Albanese and Premier Dominic Perrottet tour of flood affected areas in Forbes on Monday. Picture: AAP

Raising the dam wall by 14 metres could save more than 8,000 lives from flood risk over the next two decades.

The Telegraph understands that Mr Perrottet raised the issue with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of a visit to inspect flood-impacted communities in Forbes on Monday.

Resources Minister Catherine King on Monday left the door open to looking at raising the dam wall ahead of next year’s May budget, but said the Federal Government needs more information from NSW.

“At this stage we haven’t got enough information from the NSW Government on which to make a decision,” she said in a statement.

Warragamba Dam overflowing during flooding in Sydney this year. Picture: WaterNSW

The Commonwealth has repeatedly called for more information from NSW on the project before making any decision.

“The Albanese Government is open to talking to the State Government about its priorities and it is something that could be looked at in the lead up to the budget next year,” Ms King said.

Raising the dam wall was this month declared a project of Critical State Significant Infrastructure, which gives Planning Minister Anthony Roberts the final say on whether it goes ahead.

While the designation cuts a swath of red tape, WaterNSW bureaucrats still need to respond to submissions about the plan.

An environmental-impact statement is in its final stages of being prepared.

After that occurs, WaterNSW will provide the Minister with an independent report and Mr Roberts will have the final say.

Government sources were tight lipped on when a final decision could be made.

It comes after the Albanese government announced NSW would get $1 billion in federal infrastructure projects as part of an $8.6 billion spend, less than Queensland ($1.47 billion) and Victoria ($2.5 billion).

Treasurer Matt Kean said NSW had been “dudded” by the Albanese Labor government.

“It’s just another example of the Labor Party dudding NSW,” he said.

“We, as coalition MPs will always stand up for our state, we will always fight for our fair share.”

Originally published as Dominic Perrottet vows to raise Warragamba dam wall to prevent floods