NSW: Snowy River rescue plan to start today
JINDABYNE, NSW, Aug 28 AAP - History will be made in the NSW Snowy Mountains todaywhen the Victorian and NSW governments join forces to double flows to the plundered SnowyRiver.
The river has been reduced to between one and three per cent of its original flow sincewater was diverted for the Snowy hydro scheme.
As a result the once-raging river has been reduced to knee-deep pools in some areas,and is afflicted with weed infestations.
But today the first rush of water to help restore the volume of the river will be releasedunder a joint Victorian/NSW initiative.
NSW Premier Bob Carr and Victorian Premier Steve Bracks will today open the MowambaAqueduct between the southern NSW townships of Jindabyne and Dalgety, which will release38 gigalitres a year into the Snowy.
Today's release is part of a 10-year, $300 million initiative which will see 21 percent of the Snowy's natural average flow returned to the river, ultimately increasingto 28 per cent.
The two premiers will "turn on the tap" after visiting the area yesterday to see thedamage first-hand.
Donning green plastic fishing waders, the two premiers stood knee-deep in what wasonce a surging river, and acknowledged the work that had gone into the plan for its rejuvenation.
"A lot of hard work went into this to get us to the stage where we're planning therestoration of this river," Mr Carr told reporters in Dalgety yesterday.
Mr Bracks said irrigators' entitlements would not be adversely affected under the plan.
AAP kp/gmw/tnf
KEYWORD: RIVER DAYLEAD
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