Editing Snowy Mountains Scheme (section)

=== Construction ===
[[File:Cabramurra July 2011.jpg|thumb|[[Cabramurra]], Australia's highest town, is a Snowy Scheme company town.]]
[[File:Lake Eucumbene in April 2012.JPG|thumb|[[Lake Eucumbene]] flooded the township of [[Adaminaby]]. It is the largest reservoir in the Scheme, with a capacity some nine times that of [[Sydney Harbour]].]]
[[File:Tumut3GeneratingStation.jpg|thumb|Tumut 3 generating station]]
[[File:Towards Kosciuszko from Kangaroo Ridge in winter.jpg|thumb|[[Mount Kosciuszko]] and the [[Snowy Mountains|Main Range]]. Water from [[Snowy Mountains]] snow melt is used to generate electricity and divert water for irrigation.]]
[[File:Jindabyne.jpg|thumb|[[Jindabyne]], as viewed from across [[Lake Jindabyne]]]]
[[File:Blowering Reservoir from Blowering Dam.JPG|thumb|[[Blowering Dam]]]]
[[File:Tumut Pond aerial.jpg|thumb|Aerial photo of [[Tumut Pond Dam|Tumut Pond Reservoir and Dam]], 2009]]
[[File:Snowy Scheme Museum.JPG|thumb|The [[Snowy Scheme Museum]], in [[Adaminaby]]]]
[[File:Guthega ski resort.jpg|thumb|[[Guthega|Guthega Ski Resort]] was built above [[Guthega Dam]].]]
Construction of the Snowy Scheme was managed by the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Authority. It officially began on 17 October 1949 and took 25 years, being officially completed in 1974.

An agreement between the [[United States Bureau of Reclamation]] and Snowy Mountains Hydro to provide technical assistance and training of engineers was agreed between the [[United States]] and Australia in [[Washington, D.C.]], on 16 November 1951.<ref>{{cite web|title=Agreement between the Governments of Australia and the United States relating to Technical Assistance for the Snowy Mountains Project [1951] ATS 22|url=http://www3.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1951/24.html|website=Australian Treaties Library|publisher=Australasian Legal Information Institute|access-date=17 April 2017|archive-date=13 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413072946/http://www3.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1951/24.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> A loan for $100 million was obtained from the [[International Bank for Reconstruction and Development|World Bank]] in 1962.<ref>World Bank document, '[http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/900161468220168590/pdf/multi-page.pdf Appraisal of the Snowy Mountains Project Australia'], 11 January 1962, (accessed 20 October 2019)</ref>

Tunneling records were set in the construction of the Scheme and it was completed on time and on budget in 1974, at a cost of {{AUD}}820 million; a dollar value equivalent in 1999 and 2004 to A$6&nbsp;[[1,000,000,000|billion]].<ref>{{cite speech|last=Besley|first=M. A. (Tim)|url=http://www.atse.org.au/index.php?sectionid=398|title=The Need for Infrastructure Projects — Then and Now <!-- |venue=Alstom International Association (The Overseas Club) -->|date=11 August 1999|work=ATSE Focus No 109, November/December 1999|publisher=Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE)|access-date=9 March 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718124401/http://www.atse.org.au/index.php?sectionid=398|archive-date=18 July 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|last=Anderson |first=John |author-link=John Anderson (Australian politician) |url=http://www.ministers.dotars.gov.au/ja/pressconf/2004/APC9_2004.htm |format=transcript |date=7 June 2004 |title=AusLink, Peter Garrett, US relations, Iraq, Federal election |work=Ministers' speeches |publisher=[[Department of Transport and Regional Services (Australia)]] |access-date=9 March 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060919222034/http://www.ministers.dotars.gov.au/ja/pressconf/2004/APC9_2004.htm |archive-date=19 September 2006 }}</ref><ref name = "ASCE"/> Around two thirds of the workforce employed in the construction of the scheme were immigrant workers, originating from over thirty countries. The official death toll of workers on the Scheme stands at 121 people. Some {{convert|1600|km}} of roads and tracks were constructed, seven townships and over 100 camps were built to enable construction of the 16 major dams, seven hydroelectric power stations, two pumping stations, {{convert|145|km}} of tunnel and {{convert|80|km}} of pipelines and aqueducts. Just 2% of the construction work is visible from above ground.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{citation|title=Information plaque|publisher=[[Snowy Scheme Museum]]|location=Adaminaby}}</ref>

Two of the towns constructed for the scheme are now permanent; [[Cabramurra, New South Wales|Cabramurra]], the highest town in Australia; and [[Khancoban, New South Wales|Khancoban]]. [[Cooma, New South Wales|Cooma]] flourished during construction of the Scheme and remains the headquarters of the operating company of the Scheme. Townships at [[Adaminaby]], [[Jindabyne]] and [[Talbingo]] were inundated by the flooded waters from [[Eucumbene Dam#Lake Eucumbene|Lake Eucumbene]], [[Jindabyne Dam#Lake Jindabyne|Lake Jindabyne]] and [[Jounama Dam|Jounama Reservoir]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-factsheet/adaminaby-20081113-5yk8.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|title=Adaminaby|date=1 January 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606173529/http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-factsheet/adaminaby-20081113-5yk8.html|archive-date=6 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snowymountains.com.au/about/towns/jindabyne/|title=Towns: Jindabyne|work=About the Snowy Mountains|publisher=Tourism Snowy Mountains|year=2012|access-date=5 May 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513053202/http://www.snowymountains.com.au/about/towns/jindabyne/|archive-date=13 May 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snowymountains.com.au/about/towns/talbingo/|title=Towns: Talbingo|work=About the Snowy Mountains|publisher=Tourism Snowy Mountains|year=2012|access-date=5 May 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130627220513/http://www.snowymountains.com.au/about/towns/talbingo/|archive-date=27 June 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Improved vehicular access to the high country enabled ski-resort villages to be constructed at [[Thredbo]] and [[Guthega]] in the 1950s by former Snowy Scheme workers who realised the potential for expansion of the Australian ski industry.<ref name="thredbo.com.au"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visitnsw.com/town/Guthega.aspx |title=Guthega |publisher=Visit NSW |date=24 July 2012 |access-date=20 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812042143/http://www.visitnsw.com/town/Guthega.aspx |archive-date=12 August 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The Scheme is in an area of {{convert|5124|km2}}, almost entirely within the [[Kosciuszko National Park]]. The design of the scheme was modelled on that of the [[Tennessee Valley Authority]].<ref name="ASCE" /> Over 100,000 people from over 30 countries were employed during its construction, providing employment for many [[Post war migrant arrivals, Australia|recently arrived immigrants]], and was important in Australia's post-[[World War II|war]] economic and social development. Seventy percent of all the workers were migrants.<ref name="The Snowy Mountains Scheme">{{cite web|url=http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/snowyscheme/ |title=The Snowy Mountains Scheme |work=Culture and recreation portal |publisher=[[Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (Australia)]] |year=2008 |access-date=20 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070830103344/http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/snowyscheme/ |archive-date=30 August 2007 }}</ref> During construction of the tunnels, a number of railways were employed to convey spoil from worksites and to deliver personnel, concrete and equipment throughout.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Tunnel Railways of the Snowy Mountains Scheme|last1=Wright|first1=H. J.|last2=Shellshear|first2=W. M.|publisher=[[Australian Railway History]] |journal=Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin |date=September 1971|pages=193–210}}</ref>

The project used Australia's first [[Second-generation computer|transistorised computer]]; one of the first in the world. Called 'Snowcom', the computer was used from 1960 to 1967.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snowyhydro.com.au/levelThree.asp?pageID=69|title=The Engineering|work=Snowy Mountains Scheme|publisher=[[Snowy Hydro|Snowy Hydro Limited]]|year=2007|access-date=20 July 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706112401/http://www.snowyhydro.com.au/levelThree.asp?pageID=69|archive-date=6 July 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

At the completion of the project, the Australian Government maintained much of the diverse workforce and established the [[Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation]] (SMEC), which is now an international engineering consultancy company. The Scheme is the largest [[renewable energy]] [[Electricity generation|generator]] in mainland Australia and plays an important role in the operation of the [[National Electricity Market]], generating approximately 67% of all renewable energy in the mainland National Electricity Market. The Snowy Scheme's primary function is as a water manager, however under the corporatised model must deliver dollar dividends to the three shareholder governments - the NSW, Commonwealth and Victorian Governments.{{citation needed|date=May 2013}}

The Scheme also has a significant role in providing security of water flows to the [[Murray-Darling Basin]]. The Scheme provides approximately {{convert|2100|GL}} of water a year to the Basin, providing additional water for an irrigated agriculture industry worth about A$3&nbsp;bn per annum,<ref name="The Snowy Mountains Scheme"/> representing more than 40% of the gross value of the nation's agricultural production.

The Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme, is one of the most complex integrated water and hydro-electric power schemes in the world and is listed as a "world-class civil engineering project" by the [[American Society of Civil Engineers]].<ref name="ASCE">{{cite web |url=https://www.asce.org/about-civil-engineering/history-and-heritage/historic-landmarks/snowy-mountains-hydro-electric-scheme |title=Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=American Society of Civil Engineers |access-date=29 January 2022}}</ref> The scheme interlocks seven power stations and 16 major dams through {{convert|145|km}} of trans-mountain tunnels and {{convert|80|km}} of aqueducts. The history of the Snowy Scheme reveals its important role in building post World War II Australia.

Sir [[William Hudson (engineer)|William Hudson]] was appointed the first commissioner of the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Authority, serving between 1949 and 1967. The Commissioner's role was the overall management of the Scheme. He represented the Scheme at the highest levels of government, welcomed international scientists and engineers, encouraged scientific and engineering research, as well as attending many social and civic activities. Sir William's management style 'stressed cooperation between management and labour and scientific knowledge (facts) over opinion'.<ref>{{cite web|work=Snowy! Power of a nation|title=Investigating, managing, and building the Scheme|url=http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/hsc/snowy/investigating.htm|publisher=[[Powerhouse Museum]]|access-date=5 May 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015232837/http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/hsc/snowy/investigating.htm|archive-date=15 October 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The Scheme was completed with the official opening of the [[Tumut 3|Tumut 3 Power Station]] project by the [[Governor-General of Australia]], [[Paul Hasluck|Sir Paul Hasluck]] {{post-nominals|country=AUS|GCMG|GCVO|KStJ}} on 21 October 1972.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nma.gov.au/collections-search/display?irn=79991|title=Programme for the Official Opening of the Tumut 3 Project|work=Collection search|publisher=[[National Museum of Australia]]|date=21 October 1972|access-date=5 May 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110321190217/http://www.nma.gov.au/collections-search/display?irn=79991|archive-date=21 March 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref>