A plan to offset financial losses for recreational users due to the impacts of Snowy Hydro 2.0 will be pursued following a meeting yesterday between an advocacy group and the energy provider.
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The plan comes after concerns were raised about the impact on water levels, fish-stocking rates, dam access and amenities and facilities for recreational users at Tantangara and Talbingo dams.
It is led by the Snowy Mountains Bush Users Group, is an advocacy group representing the Riverina's recreational bush users.
The plan will involve SMBUG applying via the state government for a share in the project's offset money from its environmental impact statement.
The financial offset will then be used on recreational projects.
SMBUG president Alan Lanyon said the meeting was well attended and "very constructive".
"We'll formally outline impacts on bush users and what mechanisms are available regarding the compensation for recreational users," Mr Lanyon said.
"The impact of closing off the eastern access at the Tantangara Dam pushes recreational users to the western foreshores, which has its own concerns.
"These include access and amenities, which we've got to engage with [NSW] Nationals Park."
Mr Lanyon said the Snowy 2.0 representatives gave a positive presentation.
"They were quite forward in identifying areas that would impact recreational bush users," he said.
"Then they underwent a rigorous question-and-answer session from the floor and were able to answer each question honestly.
"There were good outcomes and more people are now aware of the impacts of Snowy 2.0 on recreational uses."
Snowy Hydro 2.0 will link the two existing Snowy Scheme dams - Tantangara and Talbingo - through underground tunnels and an underground power station with pumping capabilities.
A Snowy Hydro spokesperson said the organisation is preparing a thorough environmental impact statement.
"The EIS will be released mid-year for public comment and groups like SMBUG will be able to provide their feedback," she said.
"In terms of future direction, Snowy Hydro is aware that SMBUG have a number of priority projects that they're seeking funding for.
"For the exploratory works, the NSW Government will receive $10.5 million in funding for offsets from Snowy Hydro and there will be more offset funding provided for the main project works.
"The NSW Government has responsibility for allocating offset funding and groups like SMBUG should seek funding directly from the NSW Government, not through Snowy Hydro.
"That being said, Snowy Hydro is totally aligned with the community's view that offset funding should be spent on local projects."
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