NSW government told to rework proposal to raise Warragamba dam wall as officials say impacts not justified

Heritage NSW and the department of planning, industry and environment have criticised the state government’s $1.6bn proposal to raise the Warragamba dam wall by up to 17 metres. Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

The Perrottet government will have to rework large parts of the environmental impact statement for its proposal to raise the Warragamba dam wall, according to officials responsible for assessing the project.

New South Wales environment officials have told the government its analysis, published in September, has failed to properly assess or justify impacts to the Greater Blue Mountains world heritage area that would be caused by the $1.6bn plan to raise the wall by up to 17 metres.