Federal fever heats up against Tillegra Dam

Attendees at the Federal Election Forum in Maitland. Photo: Daryl Morris

Voters have taken the Tillegra Dam issue with them to the polling booths in the Federal Election – and the results are clear. One of Australia’s most marginal federal seats was very likely decided by the community opposition to Tillegra Dam.

Anti-dam federal Liberal party member, the Hon. Bob Baldwin, was re-elected into the marginal seat of Paterson. He credits his swinging success to his strong position with the local community against Tillegra Dam. His seat includes the proposed dam site and the internationally recognised Ramsar-listed wetland the dam threatens to destroy.

At a recent community forum in the lead up to the election, Mr Baldwin stated his clear opposition to the dam, as did The Greens candidate Jan Davis. Labor candidate Jim Arneman stated neither support nor opposition for the dam.

The NSW State Labor planning process drew fire from all candidates, including Jim Arneman, who does not support the state government's handling of the issue.

However, as evidence against the dam mounts, the ultimate decision to dam the Williams River will come down to the federal government.  This was made very clear in a letter delivered to the forum from Federal Environment Minister, The Hon. Peter Garrett.

Mr Garrett committed to rigorously assess the environmental impact of the Tillegra Dam proposal under Commonwealth environmental protection and biodiversity conservation laws. Mr Garrett will also consider new research by Professor Richard Kingsford, which details the damaging impacts Tillegra Dam would have on the Hunter Estuary Wetlands.

Mr Garrett was responsible for axing Queensland’s proposed Traveston Dam in 2009.

The Wilderness Society identified Tillegra Dam as one of the critical environmental policy areas requiring a response by all the main parties in the federal election.

All federal candidates agreed with The Wilderness Society’s environment policy recommendations, receiving green ticks for considering the Kingsford Report and for ruling out any federal facilitation of the dam, including its funding.