THE war of words between Goulburn-Mulwaree and Wingecarribee councils over the Highands Source Project is set to ignite.
Wingecarribee councillor Larry Whipper, in a Notice of Motion to be heard at today's meeting, said the people of Wingecarribee and Shoalhaven shires had been deceived.
Cr Whipper is requesting that the council write to Goulburn Mulwaree expressing serious concerns about its proposal to sell water from the Highland Source Project to third parties.
He said Goulburn Mulwaree was "profiteering" from the sale of water for the purpose of "providing commercial benefit for unsustainable energy companies".
Wingecarribee Council supported the pipeline project in so far as it "drought-proofed" Goulburn after the city reached critically low water levels during the last drought.
Water from Wingecarribee Dam, much of which was pumped from the Shoalhaven, would be carried to Goulburn through the 80km pipeline.
Wingecarribee landholders allowed pipes to traverse their land under the proviso that it was to help their neighbours to the south in times of drought.
"Council reminds Goulburn Mulwaree that it never and will not support the use of this water for any other purpose than emergency drought relief," Cr Whipper's Notice of Motion said.
"WSC also express disappointment that the people of Wingecarribee and Shoalhaven have been deceived and that Goulburn Mulwaree is moving toward the exploitation of the natural resources of these two shires for personal gain."
Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor Geoff Kettle has expressed dismay over the reaction from Wingecarribee Council over his council's December 20 resolution to allow the sale of water to third parties subject to conditions.
Speaking to the Goulburn Post, Cr Kettle said it didn't make any sense, especially given that Goulburn had to pay Sydney Water Catchment for the water.
"I had regular meetings with Wingecarribee Shire right through the process advising them of what was going on," he said. "There was a Wingecarribee councillor and staff member at all these meetings."
He said his council was approached only late last year by third parties wanting to tap into the pipeline.
The council meeting on December 20 had agreed that any discussions and negotiations for potential third party access to pipeline water should be undertaken according to a set of four principles.
These were:
- Goulburn's water supply was not significantly compromised for either yield or operational purposes.
- Third party access needed to deliver a tangible benefit to Goulburn ratepayers, such as a reduction in the $75 annual pipeline levy.
- Access would be based on a fixed charge, for example, a share of the $50 million cost and part of the SCA's fixed charge to the council. Also, a third party user should pay volume charges, a share of the operational and management costs, and a profit margin.
- That the Southern Highlands (Wingecarribee Shire) water supply was not compromised.
Kiama MP Gareth Ward has also become involved, saying the recent revelations were disconcerting and should be investigated.
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