Federal authorities have questioned the NSW government’s plan to raise the Warragamba Dam wall. 

The NSW government wants to raise the Warragamba Dam wall to protect against potential flooding in Western Sydney, and has prepared a draft environmental impact statement for the project.

But Commonwealth officials reviewing the plans have described some claims in the draft as “not sound” or having “no supporting evidence”. 

Federal officials reportedly took issue with the draft environmental impact statement that claimed vital local ecosystems would not be negatively impacted.

They also criticised the NSW analysis for omitting the effects of the 2019-2020 bushfires, which may have increased the vulnerability of plants and animals impacted by the dam project.

The concern has been revealed just weeks before the expected release of the world heritage assessment for the dam, which is part of the broader environmental impact statement expected to be published as early as July 13.

The assessment is meant to analyse the impacts of the project on the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, and is required by the federal government and UNESCO.

More details are accessible here.