Wilderness supporters are invited to attend the launch of the campaign to save many of the Blue Mountains wild rivers from inundation due to the proposed raising of Warragamba Dam. This launch will be held at the Springwood Community Hub from 6:30 pm on Monday 26th March.
Lower Kowmung River
The NSW State Government has proposed that the wall of Warragamba Dam be raised for flood mitigation. At present the proposal is for the level of water in the dam not be raised except in times of heavy rain events. And then the water level be gradually lowered back down. At the very least this will mean that about 65 kms of rivers will be flooded during these events. This will lead to the death of trees and other vegetation, the loss of aboriginal heritage sites and the destruction of the heart of a magnificent wilderness area that currently has World Heritage Status.
One of the river that will be greatly damaged is the currently pristine Kowmung River. One of the truly wild rivers of NSW.
Perhaps the more cynical readers will think that rather than flood mitigation, the real reason for the proposed wall raising will be to open up flood prone areas of the Sydney Basin to property developers.
Speakers at the Campaign Launch include Bob Brown and Bob Debus.
For more information about the issue and the campaign launch public meeting go to this link on the Colong Foundation’s Website.
Good Afternoon;
I have in my possesion a documented history from Dr Reginald Johnstone his presentation in book form with phots of the first vehicle crossing of the Kowmung River. My Uncle reg was a Cinetone photogropher and was also often commisioned by the NRMA or often vehicle companies to take a vehicle were they hadnt been before. I have images of him atop Mt Kosciusko with my Auntie modeling for him.
Would you be at all interested in the book on his journery through the Kowmung valley as it just sits unviewed on my book shelf
That book sounds very interesting – and yes – I would like to see it. But it sounds like it should be in a library – e.g. the Historical Society library at Wentworth Falls could be a good place.