NSW dam wall threatens vulnerable bird
There are fears a plan to raise Warragamba Dam wall could put a vulnerable-listed bird at further risk after it was discovered in the Blue Mountains National Park.
The painted honeyeater was discovered by Australian National University researcher Ross Crates last week in the Burragorang Valley which sits within the Blue Mountains National Park.
He warns its habitat could be lost by the NSW government's plan to raise the dam wall by about 14 metres which will see the area flooded through a "controlled release" of water.
The valley is the third known location throughout NSW, northern Victoria and southern Queensland that the painted honeyeater has been found, he added.
Although they aren't as at risk as the critically endangered regent honeyeater - which has also been found in the area - Mr Crates warns they could end up in the same position if they keep losing their habitat.
Community group Give A Dam spokesman Harry Burkitt said the discovery is another example of a threatened species being pushed to the "brink of extinction" by the plan.
The NSW government believes the Warragamba proposal will reduce and manage flood risk in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley.
Infrastructure NSW, which is overseeing the project, has been contacted for comment.
It has previously told AAP assessments have been undertaken of all "likely occurring" threatened species including the regent honeyeater and potential impacts will be included in the environmental impact statement.
The EIS is due to be published for public comment in 2019.
