Conclusions

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There is no doubt that the diversion of the Snowy River to the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers by the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme has, over the last 30 years caused immense damage to the Snowy River. It would not be an exaggeration to say the river is in a state of ecological collapse. The Snowy River, in places, is nothing more than a series of stagnating pools void of any life.

It was a scientific expert panel's view that if at least one quarter of the original flow is not returned below Jindabyne, not a lot will change for the river. The options must therefore be consistent with this scientific analysis.

It is also quite clear that excessive water use for irrigation has damaged extensive areas of this country's most fertile land, rendering it virtually useless. The future of land use in the Murray Darling Basin is in jeopardy if we don't stop applying so much water to land that cannot take it. Suggestions that allocating water back to the Snowy River for an environmental flow are going to impede the future productive use of the Murray Darling Basin, are both ignorant and lack the big picture view.

The new Snowy Hydro must be set up on a financial footing that allow it's operations to reflect both Government environmental policy (COAG) and community expectations for the Snowy River. A decision for the Snowy River has to be based on good scientific knowledge, and be visionary to reflect the 75 year term of the Snowy Water Licence Agreement.

The Snowy River Alliance has made recommendations to the Snowy Water Inquiry (listed on page 2 of this submission), to improve the Snowy River and trusts these will be considered seriously.

The Snowy River Alliance is looking forwards rather than backwards. It wishes to work closely with the inquiry to ensure that the options put to government are relevant to the expectations of the Snowy communities and will stand up to public and scientific scrutiny.

The men and women of the Snowy and indeed all of us deserve to have a meaningful representation of the original Snowy River. The Snowy communities are entitled to their river which was an important part of their lives, and should be able to expect to have their river back in some semblance of its former self. They have also been generous towards the other stakeholders, and modest, in asking only that approximately one quarter of their river be returned below Jindabyne.

The decision for restoration of the Snowy River will test our State governments' response to one of the most real and heartfelt environmental issues brought before them. The New South Wales and Victorian Governments' environmental creditability will be strongly judged by their decision on the Snowy River environmental flows issue.