Snowy Hydro Limited has announced plans to seek approval from the New South Wales Government to conduct a six year trial of cloud seeding in the Snowy Mountains.

Snowy Hydro�s principal objective is to provide significant additional fresh water to the River Murray and Murrumbidgee River systems.

The proposed cloud seeding trial is intended to produce snow during the winter months with the spring thaw releasing the additional snowfall as water that would flow into these river systems.

Both Kosciusko Thredbo Pty Limited and Perisher Blue Pty Limited support in principle the conduct of the proposed cloud seeding trial beginning next winter.

The consequence of the trial is that predictions are that snowfall could increase by 10 per cent which, in an average snow fall year, could increase snow depth by between 15 and 20 centimetres; helping also to extend the snow sport season.

Snowy Hydro has advised Thredbo and Perisher Blue that the seeding regime can be interrupted if the freezing level is too high above ground level at resort locations. Snowy Hydro has also advised the resorts that numerous studies have confirmed that precipitation downwind of seeded areas either increases or remains unchanged, which are important findings so far as downwind agricultural landowners are concerned.

Resort operators are mindful of the need to conserve water where possible, and to find the ways and means that enhance and increase the efficient use of this important resource. Increasingly, water availability and use present important planning and operational considerations for resorts and the hundreds of thousands of visitors to the resorts each year. In addition, in light of weather predictions associated with global warming, resorts are supportive of initiatives that have the potential to provide increased snow during winter.

A successful trial of cloud seeding by Snowy Hydro has the significant potential benefit to require less snowmaking than might otherwise be the case. At the same time, the principal objective of the cloud seeding trial could deliver improved environmental flows to the River Murray with obvious benefits to the environment, to the communities reliant upon the river, as well as the New South Wales, Victorian and South Australian economies.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT

Kim Clifford General Manager Kosciuszko Thredbo Pty Limited (02) 6459 4102 0418 636 093

OR

Ashley Blondel Chief Executive Officer Perisher Blue Pty Limited (02) 6459 4478 0418 213 001