GOULBURN Mulwaree Mayor Geoff Kettle says he would welcome a review by the State Government on how Highlands Source Project (HSP) water should be used following “concerns” raised by State MPs.
He yesterday also denounced Wingecarribee Shire Council’s stance that Goulburn had engaged in “deceiving” behaviour and was “profiteering” from the HSP.
“I also find it very disappointing that the Wingecarribee Shire Council is turning this into an ‘us versus them’ issue,” Cr Kettle said.
“The original resolution from Goulburn Mulwaree Council’s Ordinary Council Meeting in December 2011 quite clearly states that any third party access to this water supply is on the condition that the Southern Highlands (Wingecarribee Shire) water supply (is) not compromised, nor is the supply for Goulburn’s residents compromised.
“The five megalitres a day we can potentially take (which would include any access by potential industrial customers) is a very small percentage of the dam’s capacity, roughly 0.02 per cent.”
He said Wingecarribee was part of the consultation process Goulburn Mulwaree undertook for the Environmental Assessment, including having copies of the EA in their Civic Centre and Library.
“They lodged a submission in response to the preferred project report, which requested three points; a working group to facilitate clearer discussion between the two councils, a ‘no net loss’ environmental offsets plan, and underboring waterways to reduce any erosion,” he said.
“Goulburn Mulwaree Council formed the working group, we created environmental offsets for trees which were removed along the pipeline route, and while we tried where possible to follow their third request, ultimately we were governed by the design and plans approved by the NSW Department of Planning.”
Cr Kettle also rejected comments yesterday by Liberal MP for Kiama Gareth Ward and the State Opposition’s water spokesman Luke Foley.
"This water was always intended to drought proof Goulburn. It shouldn't be sent to cool down industrial machinery at a power plant," Mr Foley told the ABC.
"There's a very strong case for the O'Farrell Government to step in and rule out any transfer of water to power plants."
Mr Ward was also quoted on ABC News as saying: "Like many people across the Southern Highlands, I am very concerned that a pipeline that was established to secure the water supply of Goulburn Mulwaree will be used for industrial purposes.”
Cr Kettle told the Goulburn Post that the two MPs were “getting their wires crossed”. “
I doubt they know the full background behind the Highlands Source Project and I am assuming they’re jumping all over this now because Wingecarribee Shire Council is,” he said.
“Let’s clear this up, the facts are clear ... we have not approached any potential customers about accessing water from the Highlands Source Project pipeline.
“The report to the December Council meeting was tabled to put in place a series of principles if we were approached by any customers wishing to access the Highlands Source Project.
“Any customers who do reach an agreement with Goulburn Mulwaree Council to access this water will pay an appropriate fee. “As a council, why should we, if we receive the appropriate approval to do so, be criticised for assisting any critical infrastructure developments which may assist our local government area economically?”
Cr Kettle continued: “The water we are sourcing belongs to the Sydney Catchment Authority; it belongs to the people of NSW, and was built for the people of NSW.”
“The arrangement we are negotiating with the Sydney Catchment Authority to access their water is similar to the one that Wingecarribee Shire Council currently has with them.
“We are accessing SCA water, not Wingecarribee Shire Council water, and it is the SCA with whom we will have the agreement, not the Wingecarribee Shire Council,” he said.
“I would welcome any review by the Premier of NSW, the Hon. Barry O’Farrell, because the Federal and NSW State Governments approved the Highlands Source Project well and truly after the emergency status had been removed.”
Member for Goulburn Pru Goward told the ABC that the “distribution of the water to residents or industrial users is a decision for council.”
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