11 October 2019
Warragamba Dam environmental consultant must be beyond reproach
The NSW Government must order a fresh assessment of the cultural and environmental impacts of raising Warragamba Dam wall after the original consultant, Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation (SMEC), was accused of abusing Indigenous rights around the world. [1]
The Rivers Without Boundaries International Coalition (RWBIC) says in its submission [2] to a parliamentary inquiry alleged abuses have taken place as part of environmental and cultural assessments for other dam projects in Southeast Asia, Mongolia and Africa.
The organisation’s submission states:
Given the appalling track record SMEC Engineering has with indigenous consultation and environmental assessments for large dam projects, we saw it as necessary to enlighten the Parliamentary Inquiry of our experiences of SMEC Engineering
Given the media articles detailing the nature of consultation with Blue Mountains indigenous peoples to date, it would seem SMEC Engineering and its sub-contractors are continuing to disregard indigenous rights and serious environmental damage that dam projects cause globally.
We call on the committee of inquiry to reject SMEC Engineering’s Cultural and Environmental Assessments for the Warragamba Dam wall raising project, and that a company with appropriate credentials be put forward to re-do all relevant assessments.
Nature Conservation Council CEO Chris Gambian said: “Under the circumstances, the only proper course of action would be for the government to engage a new company – one with a spotless reputation – to conduct fresh cultural and environmental assessments.
“It is very troubling that a company under such a cloud was ever chosen for this sensitive and critical work.
"The government must explain what probity checks, if any, were undertaken prior to the appointment of SMEC and whether the government was aware of the serious allegations as outlined by the Rivers Without Boundaries International Coalition.”
The RBWIC submission also states:
In 2017 SMEC was debarred by the World Bank from working in development and aid projects in Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh following allegations of bribery and corruption.
The Australian Federal Police raided their Sydney offices to investigate claims that SMEC ‘staff allegedly bribed officials to secure a $2.3 million aid-funded sewerage project in Sri Lanka in 2011 and…a $2.2 million power plant project in Bangladesh in 2007’.
REFERENCES
[1] Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation accused of links to 'questionable' projects amid Warragamba Dam fears, ABC, 11-10-2019
[2] Inquiry Into Proposal To Raise The Warragamba Dam Wall, Submission from Rivers without Boundaries International Coalition
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