THE war of words between Goulburn Mulwaree and Wingecarribee councils over the Highlands Source Project is set to ignite.
Wingecarribee Shire councillor Larry Whipper (pictured), in a Notice of Motion to be heard at today's meeting, said the people of Wingecaribee and Shoalhaven shires had been deceived.
It has prompted a strong reaction from Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor Geoff Kettle who has described the move as “unnecessary.”
Cr Whipper is requesting that the council write to Goulburn Mulwaree expressing serious concerns about its proposal to sell water from the Highland Source Project to third parties.
He said Goulburn Mulwaree was “profiteering” from the sale of water for the purpose of “providing commercial benefit for unsustainable energy companies”.
Wingecarribee Council supported the pipeline project in so far as it “drought-proofed” Goulburn after the city reached critically low water levels during the last drought.
Water from Wingecarribee Dam, much of which was pumped from the Shoalhaven, would be carried to Goulburn through the 81km pipeline. Wingecarribee landholders allowed pipes to traverse their land under the proviso that it was to help their neighbours to the south in times of drought.
“Council reminds Goulburn Mulwaree that it never and will not support the use of this water for any other purpose than emergency drought relief,” Cr Whipper’s Notice of Motion said.
“WSC also express disappointment that the people of Wingecarribee and Shoalhaven have been deceived and that Goulburn Mulwaree is moving toward the exploitation of the natural resources of these two shires for personal gain.” Mayor Geoff Kettle strongly refuted all of Cr Whipper’s claims.
“I just think this is unnecessary,” he told the Post yesterday.
“This council has always kept Wingecarribee Shire Council informed throughout the planning process, regardless of what Cr Whipper says.”
He pointed to a letter dated May 26 2010, seen by the Post, informing the Shire that the pipeline’s environmental assessment was with the NSW Department of Planning.
It asks the council to display copies of that document in its Moss Vale Civic Centre, library and the Exeter general store.
“My understanding is that Wingecarribee representatives indicated at the Highland Source working party meeting that they’d be lodging a submission, but they did not,” Cr Kettle said.
The Environmental Assessment also made it clear the pipeline was no longer an emergency measure and was a key part of the council’s overall water strategy.
This was highlighted in a letter to general manager Jason Gordon.
The working party, on which two Wingecarribee Shire representatives sat, including Cr Jim Mauger sat, was also well aware of the change, Cr Kettle said.
“So I strongly refute claims that they didn’t know the emergency status had been removed,” Cr Kettle said.
“And I refute that people have been deceived or that we’re profiteering. We have put measures in place whereby if we receive requests from third parties (for access to pipe water), there is a cost involved.
“Is Wingecarribee saying they don’t profiteer from their water business? They sell water to ratepayers, business and government at a profit to raise money for infrastructure improvements.”
The Mayor highlighted the fact that Cr Whipper was also a Sydney Catchment Authority board member. That body had also been kept informed of all aspects of the pipeline.
As to whether Cr Whipper should declare his position, Cr Kettle said that was not for him to say. “I have a very good relationship with the Wingecarribee Mayor (Ken Halstead).
We’re like minded individuals. “But I strongly refute that at any stage in the environmental assessment we deceived their council or ratepayers. I believe the consultation process was very thorough.”
The Mayor pointed out that the Sydney Catchment Authority owned the Wingecarribee Reservoir, the land around it and the water.
If Goulburn drew five megalitres a day it would impact on Wingecarribee’s total supply by 0.02 per cent, he said.
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