Journalist Tim Blair described the Snowy Hydro 2.0 tunnelling project as a "leaking monstrosity" during an appearance on Sky News Australia [1].

The criticism highlights growing concerns over the technical viability and management of one of Australia's largest infrastructure undertakings. Failures in the tunnelling process could lead to significant delays or cost overruns for the energy project.

Blair, who writes for The Daily Telegraph, focused his critique on the perceived failure of the technical experts overseeing the construction [1]. He questioned the competence of the professionals tasked with the project's execution, suggesting that the current state of the tunnels reflects a lack of foresight or skill.

"Look at what the previous experts, the wizards, the geniuses, the elite of Australian society, look at what they’ve done," Blair said. "They’ve given us this leaking monstrosity" [1].

The project has reportedly encountered multiple leaks and related technical issues during the tunnelling phase [1]. These problems have prompted a wave of criticism regarding the project's oversight, and the reliability of the engineering solutions employed.

While the project aims to expand hydroelectric capacity, the recurring leaks suggest that the geological or structural challenges of the site may have been underestimated. The ongoing issues continue to fuel debate over the efficiency of the project's leadership, and the accuracy of initial feasibility assessments [1].

“They’ve given us this leaking monstrosity.”

The public criticism of Snowy Hydro 2.0 reflects a broader tension between ambitious national infrastructure goals and the practical realities of complex engineering. If the reported leaks are systemic, the project may face increased scrutiny from government auditors and a potential loss of public trust in the technical expertise managing the site.