Postponement last nail in coffin of Traveston Crossing dam proposal
The Greater Mary Association were today ecstatic at the announcement by Premier Bligh that the proposed Traveston Crossing dam would be delayed, but cautioned that opponents to the dam need to remain vigilant and continue to pressure the Queensland ALP to can the dam forever.
"The Coordinator General's recommendations to the Queensland Government are a clear indication that the proposed Traveston Crossing dam has big problems. This is the last nail in the coffin for the proposal. All that remains is the burial," said Darryl Stewart, Chair of the Greater Mary Association, the organization representing communities in the lower Mary River and Great Sandy Strait estuary.
"We've argued all along that key mitigation measures for the proposed dam are untested and will not come close to reversing the damage the proposed dam would do to the Mary River ecosystems and local communities. Nothing is going to change in several years, it will still be a flawed proposal with major economic and social and environmental impacts. The only way to avoid these impacts is to can the dam forever.
According to the Greater Mary Association, the Queensland Government and the proponent Queensland Water Infrastructure Pty Lt has sort to side step the downstream impacts of the proposed dam since it was announced in April 2006. The Premier's announcement has not included any mention of more attention being paid to downstream and estuarine impacts. Her comments have related specifically to the environmental rehabilitation of the dam site.
"Despite what the Premier implies, the fact remains that research by international water experts has revealed that the proposed Traveston Crossing dam is not needed. Evidence to support this position is there in black in white in Queensland Water Commission reports," explained Greater Mary Association Research Coordinator Tanzi Smith.
"We completely reject Premier Bligh's suggestion that the people of SEQ think this dam is needed. She has no research to back up this statement. As the Premier herself noted in parliament today, people's attitudes to water have changed. The little research the Queensland Government has done supports this view and gives even more weight to our argument that the dam is not needed," added Ms Smith.
Mr Stewart called on Anna Bligh to show real leadership and acknowledge that the proposal is fatally flawed and consign it to the history books. He said, "It is cruel of her to leave the affected community in limbo. Planting a few trees now instead of later isn't going to make the proposal viable."
The Greater Mary Association also extends a huge thank you and congratulations to all it's members and supporters and the role their efforts have had on this decision.
"Let's celebrate, but let's also keep up the fight and make sure this dam is damned forever," urged Mr Stewart.
For further information contact:
Darryl Stewart 07 4129 6190 or 042 729 6190
Tanzi Smith 040 584 8375
The Greater Mary Association were today ecstatic at the announcement by Premier Bligh that the proposed Traveston Crossing dam would be delayed, but cautioned that opponents to the dam need to remain vigilant and continue to pressure the Queensland ALP to can the dam forever.
"The Coordinator General's recommendations to the Queensland Government are a clear indication that the proposed Traveston Crossing dam has big problems. This is the last nail in the coffin for the proposal. All that remains is the burial," said Darryl Stewart, Chair of the Greater Mary Association, the organization representing communities in the lower Mary River and Great Sandy Strait estuary.
"We've argued all along that key mitigation measures for the proposed dam are untested and will not come close to reversing the damage the proposed dam would do to the Mary River ecosystems and local communities. Nothing is going to change in several years, it will still be a flawed proposal with major economic and social and environmental impacts. The only way to avoid these impacts is to can the dam forever.
According to the Greater Mary Association, the Queensland Government and the proponent Queensland Water Infrastructure Pty Lt has sort to side step the downstream impacts of the proposed dam since it was announced in April 2006. The Premier's announcement has not included any mention of more attention being paid to downstream and estuarine impacts. Her comments have related specifically to the environmental rehabilitation of the dam site.
"Despite what the Premier implies, the fact remains that research by international water experts has revealed that the proposed Traveston Crossing dam is not needed. Evidence to support this position is there in black in white in Queensland Water Commission reports," explained Greater Mary Association Research Coordinator Tanzi Smith.
"We completely reject Premier Bligh's suggestion that the people of SEQ think this dam is needed. She has no research to back up this statement. As the Premier herself noted in parliament today, people's attitudes to water have changed. The little research the Queensland Government has done supports this view and gives even more weight to our argument that the dam is not needed," added Ms Smith.
Mr Stewart called on Anna Bligh to show real leadership and acknowledge that the proposal is fatally flawed and consign it to the history books. He said, "It is cruel of her to leave the affected community in limbo. Planting a few trees now instead of later isn't going to make the proposal viable."
The Greater Mary Association also extends a huge thank you and congratulations to all it's members and supporters and the role their efforts have had on this decision.
"Let's celebrate, but let's also keep up the fight and make sure this dam is damned forever," urged Mr Stewart.
For further information contact:
Darryl Stewart 07 4129 6190 or 042 729 6190
Tanzi Smith 040 584 8375
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