Council welcomes new members to Mayoral Reference Group

Blue Mountains City Council has endorsed three new community representatives for its Quality of Life Mayoral Reference Group. 

Previously known as the Western Sydney Airport Mayoral Reference Group, the terms of reference for the group have been expanded (and the group renamed) to allow it to consider environmental and liveability impacts from the proposed raising of the Warragamba Dam wall. Two new permanent community representatives have been appointed, as well as one alternate community member. They are: 

Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill, said: “We warmly welcome these individuals to this important reference group that will ensure that community views about the Western Sydney Airport, and the raising of the Warragamba Dam wall, are heard by Council.

“We also welcome the announcement last week that a NSW Upper House committee will be established to examine the proposal to raise Warragamba Dam wall. 

“The committee will examine the many question marks that surround development interests on the western Sydney floodplain and the serious environmental destruction the proposed dam wall increase would cause to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.”

Blue Mountains City Council formally opposes the NSW Government’s proposal to raise Warragamba Dam allowing parts of the World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains National Park to be flooded.

Hundreds marched in Katoomba on 9 June, 2019, to protest the raising of the dam wall.

Council’s Quality of Life Mayoral Reference Group, including the new members, will meet next month.

Information about the reference group and outcomes will be reported to the Council and made available on Council’s website.

Go to bmcc.nsw.gov.au/advocacy/warragamba-dam for more information.