Save the Mary River Coordinating Group
Traveston Letters Pass 30 000 Mark
Letters to state and federal politicians expressing opposition to the controversial Traveston Crossing Dam proposal and sent through the Save the Mary Info Centre have passed the 30 000 mark this week but the real total is far greater.
Save the Mary River Coordinating Group president, Glenda Pickersgill concedes the final total may never be known as many people have advised they have sent letters independently.
“The letters have been sent to several key politicians, including the Prime Minister, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and the State Sustainability Minister Kate Jones,” she said, “but by far the greatest number has been to federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett.”
According to Ms Pickersgill, the volume of letters and the addresses of those who have signed them indicate the weight of public opinion against the proposal.
“We have always known that the campaign has local backing. This was made even clearer by a poll conducted by Warren Truss federal MP in July this year which found that 88% of people in his electorate of Wide Bay are opposed to the proposed dam.”
“Our support is not only local. The large number of Brisbane addresses on these letters shows the extent to which people in Anna Bligh’s backyard disapprove of this project,” said Ms Pickersgill.
“This support in Brisbane was confirmed in August this year when an independent random survey by Griffith University found that 59% of people in Brisbane City are opposed to the proposed dam."
As well as the letters collected by the Save the Mary River Info Centre, the Greater Mary Association, based in Maryborough and Hervey Bay has collected thousands more letters and several earlier postcard campaigns resulted in almost 100,000 cards being mailed directly to state and federal ministers and backbenchers.
“Combined with the more than 16 000 submissions to the dam’s Environmental Impact Statement, these 30,000 plus letters and the poll results would have to go down as something of a record and clearly demonstrate where public opinion lies on this issue,” she said.
“And when you throw in the number of state seats the government has lost over this proposal, most significantly the Sustainability Ministers’ seat in Hervey Bay, it’s plain the proposal has had over three and a half years of public scrutiny and people are convinced that there are vastly better alternatives for a reliable water supply.”
“As well as relying on the scientific advice from his Department, Minister Garrett can take public opinion into account,” said Ms Pickersgill.
“The science shows there is a high risk of irreversible impact to the environment and we have confidence in his department to recognize this. ”
“We urge that the federal government take the lead and encourage Queensland to provide reliable, sustainable water supplies that do not destroy our rivers in line with the ALPs new election platform on water and biodiversity.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Glenda Pickersgill (Save the Mary River Coordinating Group) 041 144 3589
David Kreutz (Save the Mary River Coordinating Group) 043 268 3147
Darryl Stewart (Greater Mary Association) 041 877 1655
BACKGROUND
At the ALP convention in June this year, the Federal ALP decided on a new National Platform. Chapter 9: ‘Tackling climate change and our environmental challenges” (available at
http://www.alp.org.au/download/national_platform_chapter_9.pdf) describes ALP policy on issues such as water security, biodiversity and involvement of farmers in conservation. A small selection of relevant excerpts are provided below in italics with corresponding actions by the Queensland ALP associated with the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam which contradict the Federal platform.
"Labor sees an expanded role for the agriculture sector in meeting major environmental challenges such as soil degradation, salinity, chemical use, water conservation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, river rehabilitation, feral animal and noxious weed control, and the loss of biodiversity. Labor acknowledges the considerable progress made by farmers in these areas."
Anna Bligh does not acknowledge the great progress in conservation by farmers in the Mary River catchment, but instead blames farmers alone for the vulnerability of the Mary River ecosystem and plans to flood and lock up farming land if Traveston goes ahead.
"Labor will also provide assistance for Australian households to adopt water saving and water
efficiency measures in their homes and businesses, including through rebates for households to
install rainwater tanks or greywater systems."
Anna Bligh axed the rebate scheme, 6 months earlier than planned on 31 December 2008 despite the high demand for the program and obvious opportunities for future water saving.
"Labor recognises that climate change means we need to use water more wisely in our cities, at the same time as diversifying our water supplies so that we reduce our reliance on rainfall."
Anna Bligh is investing billions (almost one third of their current investment in the water grid) in 100% rainfall dependent options and discouraging saving by withdrawing the rebate scheme.
"Labor is committed to ensuring proper management and protection of our wetlands and will
promote and honour Australia's obligations under the Ramsar Convention. "
Whereas Anna Bligh's government hasn't even prepared a management plan for the Great Sandy Ramsar and continues to ignore impacts the proposed dam will have on this internationally significant wetland.
Save the Mary River Coordinating Group president, Glenda Pickersgill concedes the final total may never be known as many people have advised they have sent letters independently.
“The letters have been sent to several key politicians, including the Prime Minister, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and the State Sustainability Minister Kate Jones,” she said, “but by far the greatest number has been to federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett.”
According to Ms Pickersgill, the volume of letters and the addresses of those who have signed them indicate the weight of public opinion against the proposal.
“We have always known that the campaign has local backing. This was made even clearer by a poll conducted by Warren Truss federal MP in July this year which found that 88% of people in his electorate of Wide Bay are opposed to the proposed dam.”
“Our support is not only local. The large number of Brisbane addresses on these letters shows the extent to which people in Anna Bligh’s backyard disapprove of this project,” said Ms Pickersgill.
“This support in Brisbane was confirmed in August this year when an independent random survey by Griffith University found that 59% of people in Brisbane City are opposed to the proposed dam."
As well as the letters collected by the Save the Mary River Info Centre, the Greater Mary Association, based in Maryborough and Hervey Bay has collected thousands more letters and several earlier postcard campaigns resulted in almost 100,000 cards being mailed directly to state and federal ministers and backbenchers.
“Combined with the more than 16 000 submissions to the dam’s Environmental Impact Statement, these 30,000 plus letters and the poll results would have to go down as something of a record and clearly demonstrate where public opinion lies on this issue,” she said.
“And when you throw in the number of state seats the government has lost over this proposal, most significantly the Sustainability Ministers’ seat in Hervey Bay, it’s plain the proposal has had over three and a half years of public scrutiny and people are convinced that there are vastly better alternatives for a reliable water supply.”
“As well as relying on the scientific advice from his Department, Minister Garrett can take public opinion into account,” said Ms Pickersgill.
“The science shows there is a high risk of irreversible impact to the environment and we have confidence in his department to recognize this. ”
“We urge that the federal government take the lead and encourage Queensland to provide reliable, sustainable water supplies that do not destroy our rivers in line with the ALPs new election platform on water and biodiversity.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Glenda Pickersgill (Save the Mary River Coordinating Group) 041 144 3589
David Kreutz (Save the Mary River Coordinating Group) 043 268 3147
Darryl Stewart (Greater Mary Association) 041 877 1655
BACKGROUND
At the ALP convention in June this year, the Federal ALP decided on a new National Platform. Chapter 9: ‘Tackling climate change and our environmental challenges” (available at
http://www.alp.org.au/download/national_platform_chapter_9.pdf) describes ALP policy on issues such as water security, biodiversity and involvement of farmers in conservation. A small selection of relevant excerpts are provided below in italics with corresponding actions by the Queensland ALP associated with the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam which contradict the Federal platform.
"Labor sees an expanded role for the agriculture sector in meeting major environmental challenges such as soil degradation, salinity, chemical use, water conservation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, river rehabilitation, feral animal and noxious weed control, and the loss of biodiversity. Labor acknowledges the considerable progress made by farmers in these areas."
Anna Bligh does not acknowledge the great progress in conservation by farmers in the Mary River catchment, but instead blames farmers alone for the vulnerability of the Mary River ecosystem and plans to flood and lock up farming land if Traveston goes ahead.
"Labor will also provide assistance for Australian households to adopt water saving and water
efficiency measures in their homes and businesses, including through rebates for households to
install rainwater tanks or greywater systems."
Anna Bligh axed the rebate scheme, 6 months earlier than planned on 31 December 2008 despite the high demand for the program and obvious opportunities for future water saving.
"Labor recognises that climate change means we need to use water more wisely in our cities, at the same time as diversifying our water supplies so that we reduce our reliance on rainfall."
Anna Bligh is investing billions (almost one third of their current investment in the water grid) in 100% rainfall dependent options and discouraging saving by withdrawing the rebate scheme.
"Labor is committed to ensuring proper management and protection of our wetlands and will
promote and honour Australia's obligations under the Ramsar Convention. "
Whereas Anna Bligh's government hasn't even prepared a management plan for the Great Sandy Ramsar and continues to ignore impacts the proposed dam will have on this internationally significant wetland.
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