Residents informed of unwanted Christmas present from Hunter Water

The Wilderness Society Newcastle Inc.
Media Release
Wednesday 16th December 2009
 
The Wilderness Society has today launched a community education action to advise the people of the Hunter Valley that they have already started paying for Tillegra Dam even though it does not have planning approval.
 
Mock water bills from ‘Our Water’ have been distributed to residents to highlight the recent 32.6% increase, of which 15% is for the construction of Tillegra Dam.
 
“The people of the Hunter have a right to know what the new costs in their water bill are going towards - they should not be paying for a dam that has not been approved” says Vanessa Culliford, Campaigner, The Wilderness Society Newcastle.
 
Recent research from a Roy Morgan poll shows that consumers are already frustrated by the increases from Tillegra Dam, when it is unnecessary and environmentally destructive. The poll found that 74% of respondents do not think it is appropriate that customers pay for the Tillegra dam through increased water rates, while 77% believe that “There are cheaper, less damaging alternatives to secure water supply in the Hunter such as wise water use, rain water tanks and recycling for laundry, gardens and industry”.
 
 “This is a clear signal to the NSW government that community concern over this proposal is growing, and with alternatives and more effective water demand management options being presented to the community, the opposition is not going to stop” continued Ms Culliford.
 
“What people are not aware of is the NSW government didn’t allow IPART to do its normal job of assessing the need for such a new water supply. The process was corrupted, and now we are facing the consequence of an unnecessary and unwanted increase to our water bills.” said Ms Culliford.
 
Concern from consumers that they are being charged unfairly is already widespread. Angela Nagle, a single mother and outraged community member has complained that the increase could not have come at a worse time with the global financial crisis and the lead up to Christmas. ‘What a Christmas present this is from Hunter Water’ she said.