“It will push up water bills in the Lower Hunter by at least 36 per cent, it will undermine efforts to move industry to recycled water and it will kill off important farm lands.
“The scheme survived last year’s mini-budget that cancelled many other important infrastructure projects to control total state borrowings and protect the AAA credit rating.
“If Tillegra had been abandoned, Sydney’s crucial South West Rail Link could still be on track to alleviate massive traffic congestion. Both projects cost about the same amount.
“The Rees government is refusing to admit their error and the people of Newcastle and all of NSW are paying the price.
“Despite Tillegra’s devastating economic, social and environmental consequences, the Premier and his Water Minister Phil Costa are having a hard time saying why the dam is needed. Originally it was for both population growth and drought security for Newcastle and the Central Coast.
“One by one either politics or reality killed off the justifications. Two years and three months after announcing the dam, the case for spending $406 million hangs by a thin thread, relying solely on drought relief in Newcastle.
“The Lower Hunter has not experienced water restrictions since 1982. During the 2006 drought that saw level 3 restrictions in Sydney and level 5 on the Central Coast, Newcastle residents were able to hose their driveways.
“Tillegra dam started out as a white elephant and has become an albatross around Nathan Rees’ neck. It’s time to abandon it,” Dr Kaye said.