NEWCASTLE mayor John Tate has shifted his position on the Tillegra Dam heading into the state election, telling a rally against the project last night that he was concerned about its environmental impact.
Cr Tate told the audience at Newcastle City Hall that he supported dams "where appropriate", but would not support the Tillegra proposal if elected to state parliament unless he had more information.
"The important thing here is the environment," Cr Tate said. "I don't believe we should be doing this project . . . purely for the perceived economic benefit."
The Newcastle Herald quoted Cr Tate last September as saying the dam would benefit "the wider community in the long-term".
Cr Tate also last night backed his embattled Dungog counterpart Glenn Wall over his handling of the Tillegra Dam issue, telling the audience councillor Wall had been "fair and balanced".
He said Cr Wall had properly represented Dungog Council's opposition to the dam, despite losing the backing of fellow councillors.
Cr Tate told the audience he spoke not as mayor, but as an independent candidate.
About 200 people had come in from the rain to protest the proposed $477 million dam, and a line-up of speakers invited by the Wilderness Society took turns slamming the absence of Minister for the Hunter, Jodi McKay.
No Tillegra Dam Group chairwoman and fifth-generation Williams Valley landowner Carol Pasenow said the dam's announcement in 2006 had taken affected communities "completely by surprise".
State upper house Green John Kaye and Liberal Robyn Parker both called for an inquiry into the dam.
A Hunter Water spokesperson said the corporation had not sent a representative because they were not invited.
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