Save the Williams River

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The Williams River: An area of pristine wilderness & home to many native species

The Williams River begins in Barrington Tops National Park, which includes world heritage listed areas and feeds into the Hunter Estuary Wetlands.

	Watch the TV Ad; Protect the Williams River. Stop the Tilegra dam! - The Wilderness Society Newcastle Inc

These wetlands are RAMSAR listed, which means they are of international significance.

This area is home to a variety of native species including platypus, long-necked turtles; a diversity of fish species including bass, mullet,eel and bullrout; five species of muscles and also fresh water crayfish, among many others. This area is also home to a stand of rare river oaks, covering two hectares. According to a study: “The Williams River has the most diverse and intact aquatic biotic communities in the Hunter Valley.”

This is one of the last free flowing rivers in NSW.

An Eden Under Threat

The State Government has proposed to destroy the Williams River area by creating the completely unnecessary Tillegra Dam. The proposed dam, north of Dungog, will destroy habitat for these species and effect ecosystems in ways we cannot yet predict. It will bring about the inundation of over 2000 hectares of irreplaceable agricultural land, and destroy 21 kilometres of precious riverine environment.

Damage to the local area & increased carbon emissions

Large dams have been shown to produce massive emissions of greenhouse gasses from rotting vegetation, bacterial action and inundated land; not to mention the emissions released through the construction of the dam.

An expensive dam, the destruction of habitat and wildlife—and it’s completely unnecessary

It is a dam the size of Sydney Harbour - and a dam we do not need.

Despite the worst drought on record in NSW, the local water utility corporation - Hunter Water Corporation - has consistently reported high supply levels. Even at the end of this drought Hunter Water customers had no water restrictions; in fact, there was excess water available to supply the Central Coast. Additionally recent climate modeling for the region indicates rainfall will continue to be well above the state and national average.

You’re already being made to pay for the Tillegra Dam and the destruction of an unspoiled ecosystem

In November 2009 the water bill you received from Hunter Water Corporation had a price increase.  Part of this increase is to pay for the Tillegra Dam.  The Tillegra Dam has not yet been approved by State or Federal Governments, so why are we already paying for it?  Will Hunter Water give back our money once the Tillegra Dam proposal is stopped?

What’s being done to prevent it? How you can help protect the environment & stop the proposed Tillegra Dam

The Wilderness Society Newcastle is a member of the Save the Wilderness River Coalition. We’re working together on a campaign calling for the protection of this unique and valuable river environment and ecosystem.

You can say no to the State Government’s plan to dam (and damn) the Williams River area. Make your voice heard, today.