Kosciuszko National Park – National Parks Association of NSW

Snowy 2.0 repeatedly fined for polluting Kosciuszko National Park

Posted by NPA NSWon August 22, 2023August 22, 2023in Media Releases, Snowy 2.0Leave a comment

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has issued a $15,000 fine to Snowy 2.0 contractor WeBuild S.P.A. for allowing 9000 litres of sediment-laden water to pollute the Yarrangobilly River in Kosciuszko National Park.

National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) CEO Gary Dunnett stated “The reckless polluting of Yarrangobilly River, along with a series of other environmental breaches, shows that Snowy 2.0 cannot be trusted to operate inside Kosciuszko National Park.

National Parks Association welcomes rethink on feral horse control in Kosciuszko National Park

Posted by NPA NSWon August 7, 2023August 7, 2023in Media ReleasesLeave a comment

The National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) welcomes the NSW Environment Minister’s announcement of a review of feral horse control techniques for Kosciuszko National Park.

“It’s long past time that the National Parks and Wildlife Service were permitted to use aerial culling, the most effective technique for removing large vertebrate pests from environmentally sensitive landscapes” stated NPA President Dr Grahame Douglas.

NPA takes court action against the Snowy 2.0 transmission connection

Posted by NPA NSWon August 1, 2023August 1, 2023in Media Releases, Snowy 2.0Leave a comment

The Land and Environment Court will hear the case by the National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) against the previous NSW Government’s decision to allow new overhead transmission lines through Kosciuszko National Park as part of the Snowy 2.0 project. The case will be heard Thursday 3 August.

Inquiry into undergrounding transmission welcomed but must include Snowy 2.0

Posted by NPA NSWon June 22, 2023June 22, 2023in Media Releases, Snowy 2.0Leave a comment

National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) has welcomed NSW Minister for Energy, Penny Sharpe launching an inquiry into the feasibility of using underground transmission connections for renewable energy projects.

NPA CEO Gary Dunnett stated ‘Undergrounding transmission connections offer the best way of avoiding the devastating environmental damage that overhead lines cause to natural landscapes, including national parks.

‘The last major rollout of transmission works in NSW was more half a century ago, at a time when overhead transmission was the standard. Global best practice has moved to less environmentally damaging underground transmission options. NSW must shift to that best practice standard to avoid inflicting unnecessary damage to environmental and community assets.

‘NPA is calling on the committee to also review underground options for the Snowy 2.0 transmission connection through Kosciuszko National Park. The previous government’s decision to push forward with outdated, damaging overhead transmission through the national park was yet another assault on the irreplaceable alpine environment.’

NPA will continue to pursue all options to overturn the ill-advised overhead transmission lines through Kosciuszko, including our ongoing legal action’. Mr Dunnett concluded.

ENDS

Media Contacts:

NPA CEO, Gary Dunnett. NPA Executive Member, Ted Woodley (02) 9299 0000

Snowy 2.0 cutting corners, failing to comply with environmental approval conditions

Posted by NPA NSWon May 17, 2023May 17, 2023in Media Releases, Snowy 2.0Leave a comment

The National Parks Association today released a report exposing Snowy Hydro’s lack of compliance with the environmental Conditions of Approval for the Snowy 2.0 project, located within Kosciuszko National Park.

‘Our investigations show that Snowy Hydro and its contractors are not complying with the ‘strict’ environmental Conditions of Approval imposed by the Federal and NSW Governments’ stated Gary Dunnett, CEO of NPA.

Call for audit of environmental impacts of Snowy 2.0 on Kosciuszko National Park

Posted by NPA NSWon February 16, 2023in Media Releases, Snowy 2.0Leave a comment

In response to revelations about the environmental damage inflicted by Snowy Hydro’s bogged tunnel boring machine (see https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-13/snowy-2.0-tunnel-boring-machine-grinds-to-halt-and/101968974 ), the National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) is calling on the NSW Government to launch an urgent review of the potential breaches of the Snowy 2.0 project’s Conditions of Environmental Approval.