Workers at Snowy 2.0 campsites, where labourers are working on Australia’s largest renewable energy project, have recently found maggots and caterpillars in the food supplied to them by the jobsite. The food served at several sites has been deemed ‘unfit for consumption’ and is not up to safety standards. SafeWork NSW is now investigating food hygiene at the work campsites following the release of photos and videos of bugs in numerous dishes. Those currently contracted for work on the project are often required to live on-site and therefore have no access to alternate food.
The NSW Secretary of the Australian Workers Union, Tony Callinan, stated that food hygiene concerns have been a topic of discussion ‘for a very long time.’ He claimed that ‘supermax prisoners are served better food than the workers building Snowy Hydro 2.0.’ He also blamed the situation on the partners ‘cutting every corner they can on food, on safety, and on everything else.’ SafeWork NSW and the National Parks and Wildlife Service are aiding in the investigation with support from the NSW Food Authority. The project’s building partner, Future Generation Joint Venture, has been provided with copies of images and video showing the extent of infestation in the food served to workers.
Despite multiple controversies and delays, Energy and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has not yet committed to launching an independent review into the alleged misconduct of management at the site. The Turnbull government announced the expansion to the Snowy Hydro project in March 2017, promising first power in 2021 at a cost of $2bn. Recent estimates from those involved with Snowy 2.0 expect the budget to inflate as high as $6bn, with construction now expected to be completed by the end of 2027. Workers are considering strike action at the $2bn project due to the unsafe and inadequate food served to them.
»Jobsite supplies maggot-infested food to Snowy 2.0 mega-project worker«
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