Media release – Tabatha Badger MP, Greens Member for Lyons, 31 January 2025
Hydro Edgar dam works already raise safety and environmental concerns
Hydro’s Edgar Dam works have only just begun, and locals are already raising serious questions over community safety and environmental issues.
In the first week of work, I’m already being contacted by a number of locals who are concerned about the movements of large numbers of heavy trucks in and out of the World Heritage Area, and the surprise hardening of Scott’s Peak Road.
Community members in Westerway, Fitzgerald and Maydena have already observed what they describe as serious safety concerns based on these truck movements. We’re talking about adding 2,500 extra trucks on a narrow and busy tourist road, apparently without any risk mitigation measures or consideration of alternatives requested by locals.
Hydro shouldn’t be surprised by these concerns – these towns have been trying to engage with them for two years to make sure this situation was avoided. Unfortunately, they’ve been ignored and now the issue is very real.
On top of the road safety concerns, there’s also serious questions for Hydro to answer about their compliance with their obligations under Federal environmental laws for works within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
For example, why has construction commenced on hardening the access road before creating the biosecurity station they’re supposed to have in place to protect the World Heritage area?
Why has the project progressed from filling a few pot holes to hardening the road without EPBC referral, or notifying the public of the full extent the road will be upgraded and possible impacts to the remoteness values of the World Heritage Area?
We call on Hydro and all relevant parties – including Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek – to listen to these communities and to take action to address their safety concerns and protect the Outstanding Universal Values of our Wilderness World Heritage Area.
Media release – Lake Pedder Restoration Inc, 31 January 2025
Concerns Raised About Hydro Breaching Environmental Law Just Days into Edgar Dam Works
Serious allegations have been raised that Hydro Tasmania is breaching its Federal environmental conditions, just four days into its controversial Edgar Dam works.
Both the Restore Pedder campaign and the Greens have today written to the Federal Environmental Minister, Tanya Plibersek, calling for an urgent Ministerial intervention and reassessment of the Edgar Dam project. Advocates are demanding that Minister Plibersek step in immediately to halt unlawful activity threatening the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
Hydro’s Edgar Dam Strengthening project was greenlit to begin on January 28th under strict conditions of environmental law that it would be undertaken in a “particular manner.” But two major breaches of environmental law have been uncovered in the first week of works.
- Failure to implement biosecurity measures – Under federal law, Hydro was required to install a biosecurity station before any trucks entered the area. However, local reports confirm that truckloads of materials have been moving in and out since January 23rd— without the mandated vehicle washdowns to prevent the spread of invasive species and disease.
- Illegal sealing of Scotts Peak Road – Nowhere in Hydro’s approved project plan was the sealing of Scotts Peak Road mentioned. Yet, local residents have already observed heavy machinery laying bitumen. Sealing the road not only defies federal approval but also increases the risk to threatened species like the Tasmanian devil by encouraging faster-moving vehicles through critical habitat.
These are just some of the serious concerns already surfacing.
Member for Lyons Tabatha Badger says she is being contacted by residents alarmed at the volume of truck movements: “Community members in Westerway, Fitzgerald, and Maydena have already observed what they describe as serious safety concerns based on these truck movements. We’re talking about adding 2,500 extra trucks on a narrow and busy tourist road, apparently without any risk mitigation measures or consideration of alternatives requested by locals. “
Restore Pedder Campaign Coordinator Maddie McShane is concerned about the implications of the breach: “If we are already seeing failures to abide by basic environmental safeguards in the first week of the project, what will the next 18 months look like?”
This comes on the last day of the Week of Action for Pedder, where protesters opposed the dam works for obstructing restoration progress. Now, these latest revelations confirm that the project doesn’t just threaten future wilderness values—it is already damaging them.
Minister Plibersek must act now.
