THE rival candidates from the major parties in the battle for Gilmore have found common ground.
They both agree Welcome Reef Dam on the central reaches of the Shoalhaven River should never go ahead.
Liberal candidate Ann Sudmalis said she was totally against any such plan.
“My reading of the situation is it is a geologically stupid place to put a dam,” she said.
“It is too shallow, meaning huge evaporation, which makes it uneconomical.
“And I’m pretty sure the local community would not be happy with such a concept.
“I thought this had been put out of the realm of possibility some time ago.
“Supposedly it was mentioned in a draft discussion paper – that’s all it was, a discussion paper. There are no plans in place and no policy made.
“I would never support such a move.”
Labor candidate Neil Reilly said the leaked paper and a proposal to build Welcome Reef was “silly and a dopey idea”.
“This issue was addressed something like 13 years ago and it was discounted then,” he said.
“The people from Nerriga, I think, would be insulted by the opposition’s proposal.
“It seems like one of a grab bag of dopey ideas with no community consultation, no costing and no purpose.
“It typifies Tony Abbott’s cavalier attitude with regard to development of policy.
“There is not a thought from us of Welcome Reef Dam.
“It is a beautiful spot and would serve no purpose.
“There have been no scientific studies, no evidence to show what impact might be on Shoalhaven River.”