International Support for Campaign









The STMRCG was host to some special guests from international river campaign organisations on the weekend.

Director of the International Rivers Network (US), Patrick McCulley, Director of the European Rivers Network, Roberto Epple, and Environment Conservation Manager of the UK Environment Agency, Alastair Driver, joined members of the STMRCG in the Mary Valley to get the low-down on the Traveston Dam proposal and to offer their full support to the campaign against it.

The location of the proposed dam and dam wall, areas of remnant rainforest marked for removal for road realignment, native vegetation and endemic species that would be displaced or driven to extinction by the proposal, were all covered, including a close encounter with Travis, the forty-year-old Mary River turtle.

The guests were unanimous in their surprise that this project is still being pushed by the government. Their experiences of similar proposals have been in third-world, largely undemocratic countries, where corruption is rife and communities have little say in the decision-making process.

Seeing the river mouth and the Great Sandy Strait from a light aircraft put the issue into perspective for Roberto and Patrick. It made them realise just how special this environment is and how necessary it is to keep up the fight to protect it, not only against proposals like the Traveston Dam, but other threats it will undoubtedly face in the future.

Much advice was shared and fresh ideas gained.

Thanks Patrick, Roberto and Alastair. Look forward to sharing a toast with you at that celebration party we talked about when this fight is won!