As I said in my last blog, we here at POW! are receiving questions from ratepayers relating to Council’s recent “Factsheet” on Emu Swamp Dam.

Today’s question relates to Connolly Dam.  I’ll firstly point out that the Connolly Dam pipeline IS NOT listed as an option being pursued by Council in the latest Factsheet.  That in itself is curious, given that it is an option that has been recommended as more effective for long-term water security than Emu Swamp Dam in expert reports commissioned by SDRC over a number of years.  But sometimes it’s what you don’t say that matters.

In fact, the only reference in the Factsheet to Connolly Dam was to a potential “cost of $20m to meet necessary safety upgrades”.  A number of people have asked whether this $20m would only have to be spent if the pipeline goes ahead, i.e. is this cost relevant to the assessment of options for long-term water security for Stanthorpe?  To which I say – good question!

Does this cost directly relate to using Connolly Dam as a water supply option for Stanthorpe?  It seems the answer is “No”.  When questioned, SDRC responded that the “Connolly Dam upgrade is primarily driven by legislation, there is a risk assessment to be done on the spillway and embankment to see [what] needs to be done to meet the new guidelines.” 

So this expenditure will be required regardless of whether or not Emu Swamp Dam goes ahead, and regardless of whether or not there is a pipeline from Connolly Dam. 

So you have to ask yourself, why would Council include this statement in its factsheet on Emu Swamp Dam?  What’s the relevance? 

I personally am left with the very strong impression that Council is not impartially assessing the various options available for long-term water security.  Any time an alternative to Emu Swamp Dam is raised, the approach of some Councillors seems to be to immediately dismiss it, with no real consideration of its actual merits.  Is this simply to ensure that Emu Swamp Dam is the only option on the table?   Is Mayor Pennisi committed to looking at alternative water supply options for Stanthorpe?

“NO, NOT WHILE EMU SWAMP DAM IS ON THE TABLE.” 

[Mayor Pennisi’s answer to Belinda Sanders on ABC Local Radio]

How that meets the obligation on the Mayor and Councillors under the Local Government Act 2009 to ensure “transparent and effective processes, and decision-making in the public interest” I really have no idea.