The NSW Liberal Government is wanting to raise the wall of Warragamba Dam by 14 metres for flood mitigation, holding an additional two Sydney Harbours of floodwaters behind the dam up to 5 weeks at a time.

Background

• The NSW Liberal Government is wanting to raise the wall of Warragamba Dam by 14 metres for flood mitigation, holding an additional two Sydney Harbours of floodwaters behind the dam up to 5 weeks at a time.
• This would allow over-development of downstream floodplains in Sydney’s west around Penrith, Marsden Park, Richmond and Riverstone. The NSW Government have said they want to double the floodplain population by 134,000 people.
• Raising the dam wall would lead to the inundation of 4,700 hectares of World Heritage listed Blue Mountains National Parks.
• An Environmental Impact Statement for the project is due out in mid-2019. For the dam raising to proceed, it must be approved by both State and Federal Governments given the raised dam will inundate parts of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
• The campaign launch will include a keynote address by Associate Professor Jamie Pittock (Australian National University floodplain expert), a speech by shadow Planning Minister Tania Mihailuk and a forum with Penrith political candidates.
• Professor Jamie Pittock’s full report on Hawkesbury-Nepean flood mitigation can be found at https://bit.ly/2Qor2UM

Quotes attributable to Professor Jamie Pittock
“The NSW Liberal Government’s strategy for managing flood risk in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley is predicated on allowing more people to move into harm’s way.
“The Government has stated that it will allow an additional 134,000 people to settle in harm’s way on the floodplain over the next 30 years. Such a strategy is extremely dangerous, and out of keeping with international best-practise.
“The assessment of flood control favours raising the Warragamba Dam wall by ignoring its environmental and social impact, with no serious plans to build new flood evacuation roads in western Sydney.

Quotes attributable to Harry Burkitt, GIVE A DAM Campaign Manager
“We are taking the GIVE A DAM Campaign to the Minster for Western Sydney’s doorstep. The floodplain over-development occurring in Stuart Ayres’ electorate is extremely dangerous, and the people of western Sydney are fed-up.
“With over 21,000 signatures on our petition and 150 volunteers across western Sydney, the campaign is taking the fight to stop Warragamba Dam wall being raised head on. The Government and its developer mates should be worried!”