The State’s peak environment group congratulates the State Government on its decision today to shelve the controversial proposal to pump water from the Kangaloon Aquifer in the southern highlands.
“I congratulate the NSW Government on its very sensible decision not to proceed with drilling Kangaloon’s aquifer to supply Sydney with a few days water supply. This is an important step towards a sustainable water supply for Sydney and it’s encouraging to see the Government listening to the local community’s concerns in this instance,” said Cate Faehrmann executive director of the Nature Conservation Council.
“This decision comes as a great victory to local environmental groups who have fought tirelessly for the protection of the Kangaloon Aquifer and the surrounding endangered Temperate Highland Peat Swamps.
“It’s good to see that the environmental impacts of boring the pristine aquifers of Kangaloon combined with the $50million costs, in the end outweighed the few days water supply it may have provided Sydney some point down the track, if at all.
“This is a win for common sense as well as the environment and local community. This option should never have been put on the table to begin with, particularly when the options of water recycling and rainwater tanks are yet to be exhausted by the State Government.
“I visited the site of the proposed borefield recently and saw firsthand some of the pristine areas that would have been adversely impacted- all for just a few days water supply for Sydney in extreme drought.
“This is the right decision, for local community, the environment and the people of NSW,” said Ms Faehrmann.
