Approval of Snowy 2.0 EIS would set appalling precedents, and all for an inferior project
“Despite the rapidly growing realisation that the massive Snowy 2.0 development is a deeply flawed, environmental disaster that will drive a species into extinction and offer woefully inefficient and costly energy storage, the NSW Government has signalled that it is determined to ram the project through under their short-cut approvals program to create temporary construction jobs” stated Mr Gary Dunnett, Executive Officer of the National Parks Association of NSW.
“Now is not the time to circumvent the planning process, but instead to take a deep breath and acknowledge that Snowy 2.0 is a dud.”
“No National Park, let alone Kosciuszko, should be used as a dump for millions of tonnes of contaminated spoil. No government should wilfully drive an entire species, the Stocky Galaxias, into extinction, spread pest fish and diseases throughout the Snowy Mountains and the headwaters of the Snowy, Murray and Murrumbidgee, or strip hundreds of hectares of threatened species habitat down to bedrock.”
‘What an appalling precedent this development would set. Have we learnt nothing from the last summer? Our parks, our planet, need respite, restoration and stewardship, not more destruction.
“Approval would turn a blind eye to Snowy Hydro’s failure to consider feasible alternatives and the cumulative impacts of their previous developments across Kosciuszko. Approval would exempt Snowy Hydro from prosecution for illegally transferring pest fish and diseases between waterways. Approval flies in the face of why we set areas aside as national parks- not for massive infrastructure projects, but as a sacred trust for future generations, our pledge that they deserve to enjoy and benefit from the natural wonders our generation has inherited.
“Approval would ignore the considered analysis of 50 energy, engineering, economic and environmental experts and organisations that disputed the claimed benefits of Snowy 2.0 and called on the Prime Minister and NSW Premier to delay final approval of the project until there has been a comprehensive independent review. Their Open Letter states “Snowy 2.0 is not as it has been publicly portrayed. There are many alternatives that are more efficient, cheaper, quicker to construct, and incur less emissions and environmental impacts.”
“Planning Minister Stokes faces a stark decision- to be remembered as the vandal of Kosciuszko, our precious alpine heritage, or as the Minister who stood up to the momentum of an ill-conceived development on behalf of future generations.”
ENDS
Media Contact: Gary Dunnett, NPA Executive Officer