LABOR has criticised local National politicians for claiming Chaffey Dam was completed in May last year, when a report from the NSW Auditor-General found the project was delayed by landholder claims.
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However, the Nationals have reiterated the project was completed “on time and on budget”.
The Chaffey upgrade was due to be finished in May 2016, which is when the official opening was held.
However, the Auditor-General’s report said the project was eight months behind schedule and was expected to be finished in January 2017.
A spokesperson for Water Minister Niall Blair said the Chaffey Dam upgrade was functionally complete.
“The only outstanding items were two private land offset negotiations with landowners that have since been resolved, and finalisation of the environmental land offsets for the Booroolong Frog along the upper reaches of Peel River,” they said.
“There were no quality issues with the Chaffey Dam construction works. Since May the dam has underpinned greater reliability of supply for Tamworth.”
Labor MLC for Tamworth Daniel Mookhey said the Nationals had mislead the public.
“Prematurely declaring ‘mission accomplished’ on a vital safety upgrade months before a federal election, even though you know the job is far from finished, is a brazenly cynical act,” Mr Moohkey said.
“[New England MP] Barnaby Joyce, Niall Blair and [Tamworth MP] Kevin Anderson should apologise for putting spin before substance.”