As the once mighty Snowy River continues to ebb, locals will lay a wreath at Mowamba Weir near Dalgety this weekend in memory of lost environmental flows that should have been going into the Snowy River for the last five years.
They will also be noting the failure of the Iemma government to honour a commitment legislated five years ago to establish the Snowy Scientific Committee to research and advise the NSW government on Snowy River environmental flows.
“In 2002, there was an historic agreement between state and federal governments to return 28% of the annual natural flow back to the Snowy River, with a target of 15% by 2009, but right now we are nowhere near restoration of environmental flows,” said Upper House Greens MP Ian Cohen.
“In the coming Water Year 07/08, the planned release will be just 3.5% below Jindabyne. This does not fill me with confidence that NSW will achieve the historic target of 28% post 2012.
“The Mowamba Aqueduct was turned off on the 28th August, 2002 amidst great pomp and ceremony. Bob Carr, Steve Bracks and Peter Garrett were all there to celebrate.
“On 30th January 2006 though, all of this good work was undone when Snowy Hydro Ltd took the water from the river by turning their Aqueduct back on.
“The environmental flows legislation was a milestone, internationally significant achievement that promised to restore health to the Snowy River – that promise to the river has been broken.
“The public have been led to believe that the river is being looked after, but this is not the case – the plight of the Snowy is worsening,” Mr Cohen said.
Further Information: Ian Cohen: 0409 989 466
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