Minns must stop dragging his feet on Warragamba flood mitigation measures
As Hawkesbury residents brace themselves for the threat of yet another flood, Greens MP and water spokesperson Cate Faehrmann has renewed calls for the NSW Government to act on recommendations to use Warragamba Dam as a flood mitigation tool.
“A Parliamentary Inquiry recommended in 2021 that the NSW Government investigate lowering the full supply level of Warragamba Dam as an alternative flood mitigation measure. Preliminary investigations even found that lowering supply could significantly reduce the level and duration of downstream floods,” said Cate Faehrmann.
“Warragamba is currently only managed as a water supply dam. Its operating rules don’t allow for pre-emptive lowering ahead of extreme weather, meaning it's constantly at risk of spilling when it rains. It’s a policy failure that must be fixed.
“The dam is thankfully now looking less likely to spill this time around. We can’t wait for the next close call or for the worst to happen before the Government finally acts.
“Last year, Water Minister Rose Jackson said she would consider the idea of lowering Warragamba’s water supply levels to mitigate against flood risk, but since then crickets. With climate change only adding to the flooding risk, the Government needs to act now and amend the dam operating rules,” said Cate Faehrmann.