Greens renew call for sustainable water plan - 24 February 2007

The NSW Government's plans to extract water from the Kangaloon Aquifer and divert water from the Shoalhaven are further evidence of their inability to implement a sustainable water strategy, say the NSW Greens.

"The Greens are the only party running in this election that have a consistent and longstanding record on sustainable water reuse," said NSW Upper House MP Ian Cohen.

"The NSW Government pays lip service to recycling, stormwater harvesting and water tank installation, but their metropolitan water plan makes it clear that they see these as little more than boutique options.

"Draining the Kangaloon Aquifer and taking water from the Shoalhaven merely illustrate the unsustainable use once mentality that is at the heart of the Iemma government's water policy," said Mr Cohen.

Ben van der Wijngaart, Greens candidate for the seat of Kiama, added that the Kangaloon scheme is a pointless act of desperation by the NSW Labor Government.

"There is not sufficient understanding of the consequences of this scheme in relation to land subsidence and down-stream natural water supply. The NSW Government have pressed the panic button and hope that voters will accept the high environmental cost of their ill considered planning on the run," he said.

"The Iemma government want expensive engineering quick fixes which exacerbate global warming and won't work," said Mr van der Wijngaart.

Bill Dorman, Greens candidate for Goulburn, pointed out that for all the expense and environmental risk, the Kangaloon aquifer would produce only seven days supply for Sydney.

"Expert after expert has pointed that the science is not there to back up this proposed extraction at Kangaloon. More research is needed before pumping can begin. A six month trial that actually removes water from the aquifer is not research - the water cannot be replace if the trial is declared a failure," he said.

"This is a disastrous, short sighted plan that will risk much to achieve little. It merely serves to illustrate the ad hoc nature of water planning in NSW," concluded Mr Dorman.

Further Information: Ian Cohen: 0409 989 466, Ben van der Wijngaart 0411 149 916, Bill Dorman 0420 857 868