Damned before the Dam

"Pensioners and other low-income households in the Hunter are furious that they’re paying for the construction of the Tillegra Dam that hasn’t even been approved”, said CPSA Policy/Research Officer Antoine Mangion. Community groups, including CPSA, will be speaking at a Community Forum at Newcastle City Hall on Wednesday, 28 July from 6pm. The groups will be asking political representatives whether they will stop Tillegra Dam. 

“The cost of the Tillegra Dam is already being retrieved through water bills, which will increase bills by 40% over three years. 

“Even with the pensioner water rebate, pensioners using 200 kL a year will pay over $600 per year for water in 2012/13. 

“Part of the massive price rises are because of the huge cost of the Tillegra Dam, currently running at $477 million. 

“The 170,000 Hunter pensioner and other low-income households have every right to be angry at the NSW Government for being forced to pay for something that has not yet been approved, and may not be approved altogether. 

“Will Hunter Water pay-back these households if Tillegra Dam is shelved? 

“Hunter pensioners are already facing massive price increases for electricity and gas, and now they’re paying huge water bills for something that does not yet exist. 

“If the NSW Government was serious about the cost of living for pensioner and other low-income households, they would axe the Tillegra Dam.”  

 Contact: Antoine Mangion, CPSA Policy/Research Officer

Media contact: 0410 612 182

Charmaine Crowe
Policy Coordinator
Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association (CPSA)
Level 9, 28 Foveaux Street Surry Hills NSW, 2010
Phone (02) 9281 3588
Mob 0410 612 182
Fax (02) 9281 9716