Another audit into Snowy Hydro has been anounced. Photo: Snowy Hydro Facebook.
A parliamentary committee will examine Snowy Hydro 2.0, in the latest review of how the delayed infrastructure project is being managed.
The project involves linking Tantangara and Talbingo dams through 27 kilometres of tunnels, and the building of other infrastructure.
The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) will examine Snowy Hydro Limited’s approach to Snowy 2.0, in light of its major project ‘reset’ in August 2023.
At the time, the company announced the so-called reset after the project’s cost reached a revised cost of $12 billion and the completion date was pushed out to 2028.
In a statement, JCPAA Committee Chair and Member for Macnamara Josh Burns said the new audit would consider how the project had been managed over the past three years.
“Snowy 2.0 is vital for Australia’s energy future but the project has seen delays, growing costs and performance issues,” he said.
“The committee wants to understand Snowy Hydro Limited’s management of these issues and the lessons for other major public infrastructure projects.”
The inquiry’s terms of reference are expected to include examining Snowy Hydro Limited’s management of Snowy 2.0, particularly regarding its project reset and cost forecasting, schedule and risk management and contractor oversight.
Mr Burns said it was important the government was aware of any issues with the project.
“The financial risks of massive public projects like Snowy 2.0 rest with Australian taxpayers,” he said.
“The parliament needs to ensure there are strong governance, risk management, forecasting and oversight arrangements in place to see this project completed.”
According to the inquiry’s webpage, it will have “particular regard to matters” raised in a separate audit carried out by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO).
Snowy Hydro 2.0 is set for a revised completion date of 2028. Photo: Snowy Hydro/Facebook.
The ANAO released its findings in late June and found that while the 2023 reset was driven by a “largely sound approach”, project management had only been “partly effective” since.
“Since then, it has not effectively held the contractors to account for delivery, has not effectively implemented measures that were intended to manage project risks, and does not have access to quality data that would allow it to appropriately monitor the project,” the report found.
It also made five recommendations, four of which were accepted in full by Snowy Hydro Limited and one that was partially accepted.
In response to questions from Region, a Snowy Hydro spokesperson said the JCPAA audit would examine “Australia’s most critical energy security project”.
“It is also one of the most complex, challenging and unique megaprojects underway in the world,” they said.
“We welcome the opportunity for the joint parliamentary committee to learn more about the project’s complexity, importance and value for Australia, as well as Snowy Hydro’s governance and oversight of the project’s delivery.”
Meanwhile, Snowy Hydro is also waiting on the outcomes of a separate cost reassessment. That process was launched in October 2025, and has not been released.
Further information on the inquiry is available on the Parliament of Australia’s website. Submissions to the inquiry can be made until 9 October.
