Episode three of the series of articles regarding the efficacy of TasWater management and performance. This post reflects on the contribution by Entura to that efficacy!
Some months after they unilaterally lowered the dam level, TasWater had Entura, (a HydroTasmania entity, so hardly independent of government influence), conduct an environmental survey. Surprise – NOT – Entura discovered nothing of relevance.
Any community member would have been able to refute this but of course they were not consulted. And as for Aboriginal heritage – well as TasWater might say, who cares? – and of course they did not attempt to ascertain or discuss with the local Palawa mob.
The residents of Waratah were promised responses to their enquiries however TasWater have been slow to provide copies of the Entura report encompassing hydrology assessments, environmental studies, catchment modelling and costings for both repair and replacement assessments for the Waratah Reservoir Dam.
This reinforces the community’s perceptions that TasWater has simply plucked some statistics and figures out of the air to justify their decision-making process.
They are now covering their tracks and reassessing their hydrology report however we still don’t have copies of the original report, and we doubt we will see what changes they will make with this current review.
It does appear the risk assessments were ‘massaged’ to escalate the financial risk scenario of the Dam and there has been a failure by TasWater to acknowledge that in four short years of ‘management’ by them of this resource, their negligence has led to its deterioration.
So what factors did Entura miss in their report for TasWater? Miss grew into Miss Leading and asked for a dance.
The following is a local resident listing of unique and/or endangered species that were located in/near the Waratah reservoir at the time of the survey:
A rakali, and a water rat.
Sea eagles, astacopsis tricornis (western Tasmanian giant freshwater crayfish), burrowing crayfish, masked owl, devils, spotted tail quoll, rakali, platypus, eastern barred bandicoot, wombat, ground parrot, and I wonder what else?
But Entura did find the common Victorian yabbie (cherax destructor) – introduced? And a TasWater expert when pointed out a sea eagle sitting on a branch reportedly said, ‘what sea eagle?’.
During their ‘survey’ an Entura environmentalist walked over the now modified dam wall and failed to see or record the existence of living holes of the burrowing crayfish Engaeus.
Entura were also using so-called opera house traps which are illegal as they are known to drown platypus. When questioned as to the accuracy/morality of an environmental survey that utilised known platypus drowners, they responded saying they had ‘modified’ them and had permission to use them.
This should automatically discredit their survey, apart from it being irrelevant anyway as it was done after the environmental impact was created.
The survey supposedly occurred over three days. The weather was typical – wet, windy, hello Tasmania! – and staff were seen to be present for only a few hours.
Accordingly, this little ditty seems to encapsulate the ‘superb’ effort by the Entura survey team during their time at the Waratah Reservoir.
Apologies to America and Dewey Bunnell, creators of Ventura Highway.
The Entura Way
Chewin’ on a piece of grass walkin’ “round the dam
Tell me how long you gonna stay here Joe?
Some people say, “This town don’t look good in snow”
You survey lot don’t care, I know
Entura sham survey in the sleet and rain
Where the days are wet and windy
The nights are colder than a Boags bitter
You’re gonna leave quickly I know
‘Cause the free wind is blowin’ through ya brain
And the days surround you with sleet here
People crying you have no despair thus no survey
Sea eagles and devils flying in the air
Wishin’ on a fallin’ star, watchin’ for the early cash
Sorry Waratah but I’ve been hit by purple rain
Oh come on Joe, you can always change your name
Thanks a lot Waratah, will stay the same
Entura sham survey in the sleet and rain
The nights are colder than a Boags bitter
You’ve not seen the playtpus I know
‘Cause the $$$ bills are blowin’ in your hands
And the days surround you with sleet there
People crying with despair, stuff the survey
You’ve got the $$$ you don’t care
Sea eagles and devils flying in the air
Finally, might I quote the following from the Entura website:
The Entura Way is how we do things around here. It articulates our strengths, how we work together and with our clients, what we value, and what we aspire to. This is what makes Entura a great place to work. Our experience and technical expertise is matched by our ethical conduct.
We are ethical and accountable. We ‘walk the talk’ to deliver value to clients and communities and to ensure the strength and reputation of our businesses. We’re always looking for ways to improve what we do, and to build a better future.
Perhaps Entura might release ALL the survey documents they supplied to TasWater to the residents of Waratah, and also to ALL relevant politicians/public servants. That would be walking the talk.
