Tumut
Atmosphere & Weather | Biodiversity | Catchments | Resources Use
Summary of updates to Tumut indicators for 2008/09.
Tumut Snapshots
These "snapshot" profiles celebrate recent environmental initiatives within this LGA.
Archive of 2008 snapshots for Tumut.
2009 Snapshots
2. Water into Power and More Water
The Tumut Visy Mill
Tumut Visy Pulp and Paper mill is a significant development within New South Wales. Over the last few years, work has been undertaken to increase its productive capacity by about 130 percent. The Tumut mill has an independently certified ISO 14001 Environmental Management System and is undertaking considerable environmental work, including improving water use efficiencies.
Construction at the Tumut Visy Mill
Photos: Visy
According to a Visy spokesperson, the Tumut mill is one of the most water efficient and advanced pulp and paper mills in the world.
Raw materials used within the mill are local plantation timber, sawmill residues and pulp wood materials from softwood plantations. These are supplemented by waste domestic and commercial paper, which are collected from the eastern states of Australia. The energy used within these processes is generated on-site using greenhouse friendly, bio-mass fuel such as bark and wood waste.
Water into Power and More Water
Construction of the new Snowy Hydro Limited 14 megawatt (MW) small hydro generator is approaching completion. The project will generate renewable energy from the release of waters into Blowering Reservoir. The project provides a clean source of energy.
Construction of the Hydro Generator and an impression of the completed Jounama hydro project.
Photos: Tumut Shire Council
While a valuable source of renewable energy, the release of water into the Tumut River to generate power contributes towards changing river flows, release of cold water, and erosion of river banks. The mountain snow and rainfall captured over the winter months will be released over the summer months, when demand for irrigation waters and power generation are at a peak.
