Our Great Sandy Campaign Diary

2009-12-03T21:33:00.000-08:00

**JOINT MEDIA RELEASE **

STMRCG and GMA

Lessons to be learnt from Traveston dam proposal

Three weeks after Minister Garrett announced his proposed decision to reject the Traveston Crossing Dam campaign groups breathed a sigh of relief when the final decision was announced today unchanged.

“We are very pleased with Minister Garrett’s announcement today and would like to congratulate him for his final decision to reject the Queensland Government’s proposal to dam the Mary River.” said Ms Pickersgill, President of the Save the Mary River Coordinating Group (STMRCG).

“Minister Garrett’s decision confirms what we have been saying for over three and a half years – the dam would have caused irreversible damage and was not a cost effective means of providing water security.”

“We look forward to working with Minister Garrett and his Department on any plan to develop a regional recovery plan for the unique species and ecosystem of the Mary River. It is only through involvement and consultation with the community that this plan will have the best onground outcomes,” said Ms Pickersgill

“The Traveston Dam would have been an environmental, economic and social disaster, not only for the Mary valley, but also for the State and the nation,” said David White, co-convenor of Save The Mary River Brisbane Group

"The 50-year draft SEQ Water Strategy is now open for comment and we urge the government to listen to sustainable and innovative solutions based on the best science from the community. A new plan for a secure future water supply based on sustainable principles could provide new and permanent productive jobs for thousands of workers."

"There are many lessons to be learnt from this Traveston debacle in particular the need for proper consultation and negotiation with communities over water use and supply" he said.

Campaigners are calling on the Queensland Government to immediately revise the legislation which was used to justified the proposed dam.

“In particular we want the Mary Basin Water Resource Plan revised. This plan is a farce, created to make the dam look feasible – it doesn’t protect the Mary River or the Mary Estuary,” said Darryl Stewart, president of the Greater Mary Association (GMA). “We also want the proposed dam to be removed from state legislation including the Water Act where it is listed as a drought measure.”

The Save the Mary River Coordinating Group and the Greater Mary Association are involved in the Mary Valley Renewal team and are focused on making sure that the community voice is heard and acted on by the Queensland Government. 'The community deserves to have a voice in our future vision for the Mary Valley and we urge Ms Bligh to listen and to support us in our way forward." Ms Pickersgill said.

"We are having a huge thank you party on Sat Dec 12, 2009 from 3pm - 10pm at the Kandanga Oval (where the first anti-dam rally was held) and invite anyone who did anything to stop the Traveston Crossing Dam to come and join in the celebration"

2009-12-02T21:27:00.000-08:00

***Media Release***

TRAVESTON DAM GETS FINAL NO

Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett has made his final decision on the Traveston Crossing Dam proposal, determining that the impacts of the proposed dam on threatened species would be too great.

“After carefully considering all the information necessary for me to make my final decision, including the recent comments on my proposed decision by the proponent, the Queensland Coordinator-General and the relevant federal ministers, I have concluded that the Traveston Crossing Dam cannot go ahead without unacceptable impacts on matters of national environmental significance,” Mr Garrett said.

“As I stated when I made my proposed decision on this project, all of my decisions under the national environment law are based primarily on science, and the science is very clear about the adverse impacts this project would have on the nationally protected Australian lungfish, Mary River turtle and Mary River cod.

“The independent expert advice and the advice from my department clearly show the Traveston Dam proposal would lead to serious and irreversible consequences for these species and most likely, would lead to their further decline.

“The Australian environment is under pressure on numerous fronts, and much of our unique wildlife is suffering under the impact of threats including invasive species, habitat loss and the effects of climate change. We’re working hard to respond to these and other threats, and sometimes this requires tough decisions to be made.

“In this context, I want to make clear that in making my final decision on this matter I had regard to the overriding objects of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, including the protection of the environment, the conservation of biodiversity, and the promotion of ecologically sustainable development and the need to consider the precautionary principle in making my decision.

Mr Garrett said dams could play a valuable role in terms of water supply, when well located and carefully designed. The Hinze Dam and the new dam at Wyaralong were approved in the past two years.

“For the Traveston Dam proposal, however, the species’ breeding and their ability to maintain their population numbers would be seriously affected by the flooding of their habitat and by the fragmentation of significant populations, and I was not satisfied that adequate measures were proposed to mitigate these impacts.

“While I acknowledge that the proponent did a great deal of work trying to devise measures to mitigate the impact of the dam on threatened species, and the Coordinator-General proposed some 1,200 conditions of approval, the reality is that the effectiveness of the measures being proposed was highly uncertain, a number of these measures couldn’t be tested until the dam was operational and the impacts were already being felt.

“Throughout the assessment process a range of measures were suggested to better protect the Mary River environment and the threatened species that rely upon it. I believe there are practical measures that should be implemented to protect the species including rehabilitation of riparian corridors, improved cattle fencing around sensitive habitat, and finalisation of a recovery plan for the Australian lungfish. I believe that these are measures that should still be undertaken despite the proposal not proceeding.

“I believe that it’s critical that both local and state government work together to tackle the threats to these species and secure their future. My department is currently examining the possibility of pursuing a regional recovery plan for the area.

“In making my decision I also carefully considered relevant economic and social matters. Independent analysis of this proposal cast serious doubt over its economic merits. I also had regard to the significant concerns raised by the communities in the Mary Valley that would be most directly affected by the dam.

Mr Garrett said that he was well aware of the need for long-term water security for South East Queensland but noted that the Coordinator-General's report identified that the water to be provided by the proposed dam was unlikely to be required prior to 2026, and that there are a number of alternative water supply options available to the Queensland Government.

The Traveston Dam proposal was assessed by the Australian Government because it had the potential to impact on nationally listed threatened species, migratory species, the Great Sandy Strait Ramsar wetland, and the World Heritage values of Fraser Island.

The scientific expert reports and the economic analysis commissioned on this proposal can be found on the department’s website at www.environment.gov.au/ <> pbc

2009-11-30T21:40:00.000-08:00

Campaign Recognised In Environment Awards

Some of the key campaigners who spearheaded the three and a half year battle to stop the Traveston Crossing Dam proposal on the Mary River have been recognized in the prestigious Sunshine Coast Environment Awards.

Organisers of the annual environment awards, the Sunshine Coast Environment Council, recognized the dedication to the environment and marked it with three special awards.

The Greater Mary Association and Save the Mary River Coordinating Group each received an award at the Kawana ceremony on Friday night, as did photographer and graphic artist Arkin Mackay.

Elisabeth Berry and Tanzi Smith flew the Fraser Coast flag when they collected an award on behalf of the GMA. In accepting the award on behalf of Save the Mary President Glenda Pickersgill, fellow campaigner Ian Mackay paid tribute to the “whole of community” response that collectively fought to overturn the proposal.

“Save the Mary had the support of a wide range of individuals and groups in this campaign,” Mr Mackay said, particularly singling out the wonderfully informed work of the Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee whose Chairman Phil Moran was present on the award night.

“There were times along the campaign trail that a snowflake in hell would have been given better odds than us beating the dam,” Mr Mackay said, “but the Mary River had to be saved and the battle would have gone on until that outcome was achieved.”

Compere for the awards night, local ABC identity John Stokes, concurred somewhat ruefully with the ‘snowflake in hell’ comment, in that some twelve months back, he’d feared that the dam proposal was too far down the track to be stopped, and added that he’d walk backwards to Kandanga if Peter Garrett said “no” to it. True to his word, John’s walk, along with fellow announcer Cam Young, will take place on December 12 and will end at the Save the Mary "Victory Celebrations" in Kandanga held from 3pm-10pm at the Kandanga Recreation grounds.

In receiving the GMA award, Vice President Tanzi Smith recognized the dedication of a whole different community downstream of proposed dam site, from Tiaro to Hervey Bay. Her group had formed out of claims that the dam would have “minimal downstream impacts” and was instrumental in state Sustainability Minister Andrew McNamara losing his seat over the issue at the last state election.

SMRCG president Glenda Pickersgill said that everyone involved in the fight against the dam should be very proud of what they had achieved and these awards helped to recognise that.

“Of course we await Federal Environment minister Peter Garrett’s formal decision on the 2nd December but the “no” that he foreshadowed on Remembrance Day, followed by the Premier’s announcement that the state government wouldn’t appeal that decision, gives us grounds for more than cautious optimism,” Ms Pickersgill said.

“There’s a lot of healing still to happen but this community has shown itself to be both resilient and committed, and is more than eager to be involved in the way ahead, “ she said.

'The community deserves to have a voice in our future vision for the Mary Valley and we urge Ms Bligh to listen and to support us in our way forward."

2009-11-23T00:19:00.000-08:00

Coast Savours Dam Victory
Fraser Coast Chronicle
Carlie Walker | 23rd November 2009

IT WAS a fight that transcended the boundaries of politics – and that was never more evident than on Saturday in Maryborough’s Queens Park when those who had fought the good fight against the Traveston Crossing Dam came together to celebrate their victory.

From Independent Maryborough MP Chris Foley to Hervey Bay MP Ted Sorensen – and several in the crowd who counted themselves as Labor voters but still fought against the dam – it was clear that the fight against the dam had little to do with a particular political persuasion.

Several of the most committed in the fight against the dam, including Daryl Stewart, Glenda Pickersgill and Tanzi Smith, spoke of the emotions they felt when the decision was delivered on the dam by federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett, describing themselves as “stunned” and “overjoyed”.

Several Fraser Coast politicians also spoke, including the federal Minister for Wide Bay, Warren Truss, who spoke of his reaction after he heard that Mr Garrett had canned the dam.

Mr Truss said that five minutes after the decision was made he was contacted by the press and, as he had known a decision was due to be made, he already had two press releases prepared – one for a decision to go ahead with the dam and one in case Mr Garrett decided to veto the dam.

“It was a beauty,” Mr Truss said wryly of the response to be released if the dam was given the tick of approval.

“But I was pleased I didn’t have to use it.”

Mr Truss spoke of seeing Mr Garrett shortly before he made his decision on the dam and said there were no hints prior to his announcing the decision.

“There was no body language – I feared the worst.”

Mr Truss said the decision to stop the dam was the only result that science could support.

“Anna Bligh needs to make peace with the Mary Valley and quickly.”

Mr Sorensen spoke of sharing Mr Garrett’s announcement of his decision with Gympie MP David Gibson.

He said it was clear from the morning session of parliament that Queensland Premier Anna Bligh had no idea the dam would be vetoed by Mr Garrett.

“In parliament that morning she spoke, telling everyone about how important it was to build the Traveston dam.”

Mr Foley brought some light relief to the event, saying he had seen Ms Bligh after the decision was made with “steam coming out of her ears”.

Mr Foley told the group to savour their victory and to be mindful of how close the community had come to losing its river and their livelihoods.

2009-11-23T00:12:00.000-08:00

Fights Not Over!
Fraser Coast Chronicle Monday, November 23
Carlie Walker
Photo: Alistair Brightman

THE fight to stop the Traveston Crossing Dam on the Mary River may have been won but the fight to save the Mary isn’t over.

Saturday was a day for celebration for those who had fought tirelessly against the Traveston dam but it was also a day to recognise that much work still needed to be done if the Mary River was to be restored to her former glory.

Glenda Pickersgill also spoke of federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett’s decision to veto the dam because of the environmental damage it would do to the river’s endangered species, including the Mary River cod, turtle and the lungfish.

She said, however, Mr Garrett had approved other conditions that would have seen the dam go ahead, such as the impact on migratory species and the dam’s impact on Fraser Island, and that it was imperative the problems surrounding these issues were made clear.

Ms Pickersgill was also concerned the people of the Mary Valley were supported as they got their lives back together after three years of uncertainty.

“We need to make sure their lives get back to normal as quickly as possible.”

“We still have a lot to do.”

But, although there was a serious side to the day, it was also a day of celebration and Ms Pickersgill said that people power had won the day.

“It has been such a wonderful week,” she said.

“It’s been hard to wipe the smile off my face.”

Tanzi Smith, who played a key role in stopping the dam, said the community should be proud of what it had achieved.

“It really has been the whole community that has made this happen.”

Daryl Stewart, chairman of the Greater Mary Association, said there was still work to be done to make the Mary River a “healthy river”.

Gene Merrill, who has lived by the Mary River for several years, agreed, saying the Mary River is a “very sick river” but that with work and commitment a lot of improvements could be made.

Laurie Wilson, who lives at Big Tuan near the Great Sandy Strait and attended every Greater Mary Association meeting with his wife Betty, said he fought the dam because it would have decimated fish stocks around the Strait.

He said that although Mr Garrett hadn’t found the dam would cause damage to the Strait, he and his wife were prepared to fight the decision if it were necessary.

“We’ll have to see what Garrett’s final appraisal says,” he said, “and if necessary we’ll keep up the fight.”

2009-11-07T17:52:00.000-08:00

** MEDIA RELEASE **
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.

2009-11-05T17:35:00.000-08:00

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd talks to Greater Mary Association research co-ordinator Tanzi Smith outside Hervey Bay Hospital yesterday. Alistair Brightman

Appealing to PM’s conscience

Fraser Coast Chronicle - Jennifer Chapman 4th November 2009

FLEETING it may have been but anti-Traveston dam protesters believe their meet and greet with Kevin Rudd at the entrance to Hervey Bay Hospital can still have a lasting effect.

Every time the Prime Minister sips his morning coffee from the I Love Mary mug he was presented with yesterday, he may just be reminded of the Traveston dam controversy.

Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett has until November 18 to make a final decision on the $1.8 billion dam and protesters were not shy in their last gasp efforts to influence Mr Garrett’s boss yesterday.

Mr Rudd may also think long and hard about the potential effects the plan could have in his home state whenever he picks up his new No Dam pen.

And his memories of swimming in the Mary River may even be jogged every time he glances at his new Mary River book.

As Mr Rudd climbed out of his car yesterday morning he by-passed the hospital entrance to introduce himself to dam campaigners wearing their signature t-shirts and holding familiar Don’t Murray Our Mary placards.

Mr Rudd shook the hands of every protester before accepting the presents and giving slight hope with the words: “Don’t worry I’ve swum in the Mary I know it’s a beautiful place.”

Then he turned on his heels and strode through a scrum of journalists and photographers as the quiet voice of Greater Mary Association research co-ordinator Tanzi Smith trailed behind.

But despite Ms Smith’s words not getting the attention she desired, the protest was still deemed successful.

“I think it was a good gesture that he came over and met everybody and he has said in the media before that he knows that this is a big issue,” Ms Smith said.

“We’re here to remind him that the Fraser Coast cares about this issue as well and will be affected (and) to reiterate the dam won’t increase Brisbane’s water security and the Federal Government’s own policies on water would be much more sustainable.”

She said the group viewed Mr Rudd’s role as capable of influencing Queensland Premier Anna Bligh in adopting other methods for water security.

Letter to Garrett

WITH just two weeks to go before Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett makes his decision on the proposed Traveston Crossing dam, Hervey Bay MP Ted Sorensen has written to the Labor member.

“I have asked Peter to consider in his deliberations on Traveston what construction this dam may have on the Great Sandy Strait Biosphere and Marine Park.

“The Sandy Strait is classified as a Ramsar Wetland; Ramsar Wetlands are rare or unique wetlands and are important for conserving biological diversity.

"After the devastating effect years of neglect, water damming, irrigation and abuse has had on the Murray River and wetlands, how is the Traveston dam going to affect the biodiversity and sustainability of the Great Sandy Strait?”

Mr Sorensen has asked Mr Garrett to carefully consider the preservation of genetic resources, ecosystems and landscapes and to look at the scientific research into the dam.

2009-10-16T19:01:00.000-07:00

MEDIA RELEASE
15 October 2009

Mary River Stops Flowing

Recently, the Mary River has stopped flowing to the sea, raising concerns from campaigners regarding what the future holds for the lower Mary catchment and Great Sandy Strait if the proposed Traveston Crossing dam were approved by the Federal Government.

“No water is flowing over the tidal barrage on the Mary River to connect the Mary to the sea,” said Darryl Stewart, Chairman of the Greater Mary Association. “And what is more, Brisbane has not received a drop of water from the Mary yet.”

“When there is no flow over the barrage this means no fresh water to nurture the estuary and its fishery or the Marine Park of the Great Sandy Strait and its internationally vital Ramsar wetlands for migratory shorebirds. The longer the flow stops, the more effect it has on water quality in the estuary. This means steadily deteriorating conditions for estuarine creatures.”

In most years, whether in drought or not, the flow in the Mary falls markedly in the so called “JASON” months from July to November which are the driest months of the year. It then requires substantial rainfall, most of which falls in the upper reaches of the catchment, to provide sufficient run off to regenerate flow down the length of the river.

“The fact that 78% of the Mary catchment happens to lie below the proposed dam is irrelevant rubbish and is one example of the desperate depths that the Queensland Government has reached in trying to justify this unjustifiable dam,” said Mr. Stewart.

“Would someone please advise the Premier and her lame duck cabinet that even Queensland fifth graders know that it is rainfall that drives river flow. The part of the catchment downstream of the proposed dam site might be bigger but it is drier. For example between 1996 and 2005 the part of the catchment around Tiaro produced only 10mm of runoff into the river each year. That is twenty times less than the amount contributed upstream of the proposed dam. Clearly, we need the flows from upstream where more rain falls to provide flows downstream.”

“If we can get that message through to the Premier this week, we might try another simple learning message next week. Watch this space.”

“The situation where we see no flow going to the estuary occurs under the guidance of the Mary Basin Water Resource Plan,” explained Tanzi Smith, Research Coordinator from the Greater Mary Association.

“This is the same regulation that will be operating if the proposed dam goes ahead. This is the same regulation which mysteriously and without scientific justification identified 150,000 ML of water in the Mary Catchment that is available for use. This is the same regulation which is used as a justification for the proposed dam.”

“The Queensland Coordinator General continues to rely on this flawed regulation. He seems to be saying “trust me, it’ll be all right,” suggested Ms Smith. “But we know that the very foundation of the Coordinator General’s claims is full of yawning holes! If the proposed dam goes ahead, nothing is going to improve. Irrigators entitlements won’t improve, the health of the river and the estuary won’t improve. It will only get worse.”

“It is Peter Garrett and Kevin Rudd, our Prime Minister from Queensland, who now have the power to stop this unnecessary dam,” concluded Ms Smith.

The Greater Mary Association is calling on the general public to talk to their local member and write to both Peter Garrett and Kevin Rudd to express opposition to the proposed dam. The public is asked to urge Rudd and Garrett to “Just say No” and to assist the Queensland Government to pursue cheaper and more reliable alternatives.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Darryl Stewart 041 877 1655, Tanzi Smith 040 584 8375
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2009-10-07T16:42:00.000-07:00

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE - Greater Mary Association Inc. and Save the Mary River Coordinating Group Inc.

C.G. recognises 1200 serious problems with Traveston dam

Yesterday’s release of the Queensland Coordinator General’s evaluation report for the proposed Traveston Crossing dam raises more questions than it provides answers.

Save the Mary River Coordinating Group secretary David Kreutz said “The Coordinator General bases his report on the assumption that the Traveston Crossing dam is a key component of the Queensland Governments strategy to provide secure water supplies for South East Queensland.”

“This is a myth.”

“It would be a dogger of a dam in a drought,” explained Darryl Stewart president of the Greater Mary Association. “We’ve repeatedly made the point that it would fail in less than 18 months of dry conditions. The Government has never been able to refute this.”

“You’d be crazy to call this water security.”

The report outlined 1200 conditions of approval which Mr Kreutz labeled as unproven and uncharted.

“The 1200 conditions imposed by the Coordinator General means there are 1200 serious problems with this project.”

The release of this report takes the controversial project on to the next stage with Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett finally being in a position to formally take responsibility for the future of the Mary River and Great Sandy Strait.

Mr Kreutz said “We demand that Peter Garrett calls for independent public scrutiny of the 1200 conditions and volumes of associated technical documentation that have not previously been made public.”

“There is widespread unwavering opposition to this proposal. We will continue to harness greater public and scientific support in our fight against this extremely wasteful project.”

Media Contacts

David Kreutz (Save the Mary River Coordinating Group) 043 268 3147

Darryl Stewart (Greater Mary Association) 041 877 1655

Steve Burgess (Save the Mary River Coordinating Group) 07 5484 3749

2009-09-16T23:09:00.000-07:00

***MEDIA RELEASE***

5393 More Reasons For Garrett To Listen To The Fraser Coast

A petition to Peter Garrett lodged in Federal Parliament in Canberra last night gives the decision makers on the proposed Traveston Crossing dam 5393 more reasons to listen to the concerns of people on the Fraser Coast regarding the proposal say campaigners.

“We have been requesting the Minister to conduct this independent study for almost twelve months,” said Darryl Stewart, chair of the Greater Mary Association Inc.

“We’ve been told that they are looking into the issues relating to the estuary, but we want a clear guarantee that an independent study will occur prior to any decision by Minister Garrett.”

“We don’t think that is too much to ask, especially considering that over 10,000 submissions to the Environmental Impact came from people who live near the Mary River Estuary, along the Great Sandy Strait or in Hervey Bay.”

The Queensland Government has decided to ignore us. This is Minister Garrett’s chance to show he won’t do the same, ” said Mr Stewart.

The Titmarsh family from Tandora who have lived on the Mary River for five generations were one of many families in the region to get behind the petition which urges Minister Garrett to conduct an independent study of the impacts of the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam on the Mary River Estuary, Great Sandy Strait and Hervey Bay.

“The 5000 plus signatures on this petition show that people from all over Australia agree that the Queensland Government saying there won’t be any impacts on us just don’t make sense,” explained Mr Titmarsh who last year ran 81 km in one day as part of his Mary Mud Double Marathon which drew attention to the plight of the Mary River estuary and Great Sandy Strait.

“We want to make sure that the kids of today, like my grand daughter can still enjoy the Mary and the Strait when they are my age,” said Mr Titmarsh who is no stranger to Canberra after he ran the last leg of the GetUp! Climate Torch relay last year.

The petition was tabled by Member for Wide Bay Warren Truss and Shadow Environment Minister Greg Hunt who stated, “The Labor Party had cynically put plans for the dam on hold just prior to the Queensland election. Peter Garrett must not be complicit in this act of deception. If he examines the science and considers the research that I have seen, he will agree the dam would be a disaster, and must make his decision accordingly.”

Contacts:

Darryl Stewart 041 877 1655

Lindsay Titmarsh 07 4121 5088

Tanzi Smith 040 584 8375

Background

Last year a forum on the downstream impacts of the proposed dam was held in Hervey Bay providing much evidence to justify the concerns of Fraser Coast residents and the national community. A summary (7min) of research presented at this forum by engineers, scientists, commercial and recreational fishermen and conservationists is available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-iTDSQ_U3s

Full copies of the slides of presentations made that day are available at:

http://www.slideshare.net/greatermary

For further detail, or contacts for presenters on that day, please contact Tanzi Smith on 0405848375 or email her at run.mary.run@gmail.com.

The wording of the petition:

This petition is from concerned Australian residents and visitors to Australia.

We wish to convey to the House and Minister Garrett that we cherish the outstanding natural, recreational and economic values of Hervey Bay and our wetland of international significance, the Great Sandy Strait. We believe that the proposed Traveston Crossing dam will have a permanent detrimental impact on the fisheries and broader ecosystems of the Great Sandy Strait, the Mary River estuary and Hervey Bay.

We applaud Minister Garrett on the independent reviews he has already undertaken and ask that he commission and make public a detailed and thorough independent investigation of the optimal environmental flows needed to ensure that the ecosystems and fisheries of the Great Sandy Strait, Mary River estuary and Hervey Bay do not fall victim to excess water extraction from the Mary River associated with the proposed Traveston Crossing dam.

2009-09-16T00:15:00.000-07:00

***MEDIA RELEASE***

5,000 Strong Petition Urges Garrett Action on Traveston Crossing Dam Travesty

A petition with 5,393 signatures calling on Federal Environment Minister, Peter Garrett to thoroughly investigate the environmental impacts of the Bligh Labor Government’s proposed Traveston Dam in south east Queensland will tonight be tabled in Federal Parliament by Shadow Environment Minister Greg Hunt and Member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss.

The petition asks Mr Garrett to carry out an independent investigation of the optimal environmental flows needed to ensure that the ecosystems and fisheries of the Great Sandy Strait, Mary River estuary and Hervey Bay do not fall victim to excess water extraction from the Mary River associated with the proposed Traveston Crossing dam.

“I welcome the opportunity to support the environment and the community in their opposition to the Traveston Crossing dam,” Mr Hunt said.

“When I visited the site of the proposed dam last year with Warren Truss, I was impressed by the convincing research that showed the devastating environmental impacts the dam would have, should it be approved.

“It was clear that Anna Bligh was intent on creating a massive evaporation pond over some of Queensland’s best farming land.”

Mr Hunt said the fate of the dam will rest with Mr Garrett, who will make a final decision on the project under the Federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

“The Labor Party had cynically put plans for the dam on hold just prior to the Queensland election. Peter Garrett must not be complicit in this act of deception. If he examines the science and considers the research that I have seen, he will agree the dam would be a disaster, and must make his decision accordingly.”

Federal Member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss said the signatures reflect the community’s deep concern about the environmental destruction that would be inflicted on the entire Mary Valley and the RAMSAR listed Great Sandy Straits should the dam be allowed to proceed.

“Research demonstrates that there are no strategies that can prevent the devastation that would be wreaked upon the endangered Mary River Cod, Mary River Turtle, Giant Barred Frog and the vulnerable Queensland Lungfish should the dam be granted approval by Mr Garrett.

“Brisbane’s water crisis is of Anna Bligh’s creation, and in spite of Anna Bligh’s recent spin and hysteria, there are better and cheaper alternatives available to supply water to Brisbane, which make the Traveston Crossing dam unnecessary.

“Peter Garrett must not allow the Mary Valley and Great Sandy Straits to be sacrificed by the Bligh Labor Government.

“Peter Garrett must stand up to Labor’s machine and stand up for the environment.”

Media contacts: John Deller (Mr Hunt’s office) on 0400 496 596 or 03 5979 3188

Simon Kelly (Mr Truss’ office) on 0418 824 779

2009-09-12T23:28:00.000-07:00

***MEDIA RELEASE ***

Queensland Government Desperate with Traveston Dam Referral

The long-awaited "referral" of the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam to Peter Garrett is more an act of desperation than careful planning say those opposed to the project.

What has actually occurred IS NOT a state or federal approval of the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam, but the decision of the Coordinator General to send a draft of proposed approval conditions for the project to the federal government for consideration and feedback, PRIOR to the Coordinator General producing his assessment report on the proposal.

The Save the Mary River Coordinating Group President, Glenda Pickersgill, said the decision to send the draft conditions placed by the state’s Coordinator General has “everything to do with events unfolding in the Federal Court case over the failure to comply with conditions on Paradise dam.”

“This next step in the process has been in the wings for more than 12 months but the timing is surely no coincidence given the events of the last week.”

In the Federal Court last week, the State Solicitor General revealed there had been a request by Sunwater, the state government owned company to Minster Peter Garrett to alter the original conditions placed on the building of Paradise Dam and, as a result, the case has been adjourned until early November.

Now, the State Government has just released the draft Coordinator General's report with draft conditions on the proposed Traveston crossing Dam to the Federal Environment Minister. Although the Premier is claiming a "green light", it is far from it with the Coordinator General's draft report not being available for any critic of the detail.

Ms Pickersgill said "The government is promising something that it cannot deliver. In order to get the 70,000 ML / year the premier claims would be available, the governement's own modelling shows that the river downstream of the dam could be run dry for up to 6 months at a time. This would bad news for the river, the Wetlands of the Great Sandy Straits, Hervey Bay, and World Heritage Fraser island. How environmentally friendly is that?”

"The last dam this government built, Paradise Dam on the Burnett River, is currently in the federal courts over not meeting the environment conditions for its constuction, and hasn't delivered on the economic promises either. Sunwater, a government owned company, have completely ignored the federal condition to provide a fishway suitable for lungfish and that it was to commence when the dam became operational." she said.

"How can anyone have faith in applying conditions when they include totally untested and unproven methods? How can you interpret the request to change the conditions as anything other than an admission of failure to meet them?”

"Similarly the Queensland government's track record for delivering water projects on time and on budget is appalling. For example the Western Corridor and Tugan desalination projects have not produced the water that was promised, nor met the timelines or stayed within the budget."

"The original $1.59 Billion project doesn't include the associated pipelines, or the blowouts of $100M on land purchasing already. The proposed Traveston Crossing dam is not a reliable water supply for a drought strategy and it more expensive than catching water where it falls, implementing water efficiencies in the household or even desalination."

"Because of it's small volume, location, shallowness and associated high evaporation and seepage losses, it would empty very quickly in a drought - providing about 18 months of drought storage at best.. Like a shallow saucer left out in the backyard it would fill very easily when it rains, but provide no useful water storage at all when things get dry."

Ms Pickersgill said big dams not only seriously reduce viable lungfish spawning areas and suitable cover for juveniles but they cause many deaths in the event of overtopping, such as recently shown at North Pine Dam and Somerset Dam.

“Paradise is on trial because of the failings of its unproven fishway system. The proposed Traveston Dam would boast a “world-first” (ie untested) turtle ramp as well.”

The premier should also be reminded that "green" is not a good colour for a dam . The poor water quality and heavy weed infestations anticipated in this storage would make it one of the most destructive impacts that could be imagined for the threatened species of the Mary River which the secret approval conditions are intended to protect.

“For some months now we’ve been calling on the government to send the information off to the federal minister for a decision. Several independent reports commissioned by the minister concurred with many of our concerns that there are no proven mitigation measures so we should feel pretty confident."

“There’s no doubt that we’ve won this on science and that’s what the Minister’s decision has to be based on. We’ve won it on poll-demonstrated opposition, even in Brisbane, but the Premier, despite her election night promise to listen, only seems to listen to the government’s spin department.”

"No public consultation has been entered into on these proposed mitigation measures throughout the state EIS process to date and we are calling for the full extent of these proposals be made available for public comment as part of the Federal approval process in the hands of the federal Environment Minister, Peter Garrett.

Contacts for Media: David Kreutz mb 0432683147, Steve Burgess 5483749, Glenda Pickersgill 0411 443 589, Darryl Stewart (Greater Mary Association) 0418 771 655.

2009-08-28T02:31:00.000-07:00

Lessons to Learn from Estuarine Health Report

A recent report into the health of 18 estuaries from Miriam Vale to Rainbow Beach provides even more compelling evidence to scrap the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam in south-east Queensland.

The detailed study conducted by the Burnett Mary Regional Group in collaboration with the Qld EPA examined data collected over two years to come up with its report card . While some of the smaller creeks receive A ratings, the two largest rivers, the Burnett and the Mary, are rated as D- (extreme estuary health risk) and C+(moderate estuary health risk) respectively.

Save the Mary River President Glenda Pickersgill said that comparing the Burnett and the Mary rivers provided a valuable insight into the highly likely impact of the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam.

“In the Burnett and its tribu-taries there are more than 30 dams and weirs, the most recent being the controversial Paradise Dam near Biggenden. This report cuts the speculation and allows us to see the end result of such im-poundments on the estuary.”

“While the Traveston Environ-mental Impact Study claims that downstream impacts would be minimal, this report, by examin-ing the track record for the heavily impounded Burnett, clearly finds otherwise.”

“The cumulative effects of how we treat or overuse a river show up in its estuary and it‟s to be hoped the government will heed this warn-ing,” Ms Pickersgill said.

Chairman of the Greater Mary Association, Darryl Stewart said that one of the recommendations for ongoing management of the Mary estuary is to ensure it “has an adequate environmental flow allocation".

The Mary Basin Water Resource Plan that the Queensland Government rely so heavily on in their justification for the proposed dam does not consider environmental flow to the estuary. In fact if the dam does go ahead, based on the Government's own figures, flows to the estuary could stop for more than six months. And this would be operating in accordance with the Water Re-source Plan. It is just totally irre-sponsible!"

"The Mary estuary should not be viewed in isolation, its waters intermingle with and nourish the internationally recognised Ramsar wetlands, the Great Sandy Strait and the World Heritage listed marine environment of Fraser Island.”

There is a petition from dam op-ponents going to federal parlia-ment calling for an independent assessment of the impacts of pro-posed Traveston Crossing Dam on the estuary.

“The government has a chance to learn from the Burnett. They've always been gung-ho in their as-sertion that a dam at Traveston Crossing would have minimal downstream impacts. Gathering this data from the Burnett should put an end to that,” said Mr Stew-art. The real question, though, is whether the Premier and her Sus-tainability Minister are listening".

Joint press release, GMA and Save the Mary River Coordinating Group

2009-06-09T22:29:00.000-07:00

Dugong Candle Spectacular!

The plight of dugongs was spectacularly highlighted in Hervey Bay on June 6 for World Environment Day.

Our Dugong - Yuwang’kan is the latest public candle installation by the Art for Earth team, in collaboration with the Mary River campaign, following the success of Dok’ku at Tandora homestead in June 2008.

At Dayman Park this year, hundreds of supporters young and old, gathered before sunset to help light 4,000 candles, creating a giant glowing image of a dugong family feeding on seagrass.

Footage of the display was taken from the air, and participants were delighted when sky-divers dropped over the site, filming the spectacle as they descended. A short documentary of the event is soon to be released. So stay tuned!

The Greater Mary Association (GMA) was a project partner for the event in the hope of raising awareness about dugong populations in the Mary River estuary and the potential threat the proposed dam would have on seagrass – the food supply for this vulnerable species.

Under the EPBC Act, Minister Garrett is obligated to consider the impact of the proposed dam on dugong populations in the Great Sandy Strait and Hervey Bay.

QWIPL has conducted no analysis of how a dam on the Mary would affect the characteristics of estuarine waters and sediment which determine the survival of seagrass pastures.

Check out the GMA photo gallery for pictures of this event!

Go to: www.picasaweb.google.com/greatermary and click on the Our Dugong – Yuwang’kan album link.

2009-05-26T04:45:00.000-07:00

Biosphere Success!

The Great Sandy region was today declared as a Biosphere reserve.

At its meeting in Korea, UNESCO’s International Co-ordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere program today resolved to accept the nomination.

The decision means that residents of Gympie, Maryborough, Hervey Bay, and nearby areas including Fraser Island now live in the “Great Sandy Biosphere” reserve.

The 370 page nomination was submitted to UNESCO in September last year by the Burnett Mary Regional Group after approval from all levels of government.

Chairman of the Group, Russell Stewart, said he was delighted with the success of the nomination.

“It’s a real coup for our region and for Australia,” he said.

“It gives worldwide recognition of the outstanding natural beauty and high levels of biodiversity that we sometimes take for granted.”

The International Co-ordinating Council considered 35 nominations from throughout the world, but the Great Sandy Biosphere was the only one from Australia in this round.

Mr Stewart said that although the nomination process was a big job, the real challenge will be to implement the program.

“We now have to keep our promises and make sure the Great Sandy Biosphere becomes a model for sustainability.”

Mr Stewart said in the long term, the Man and the Biosphere program could expand in Australia.

“Our Group has a vision of a “green belt” of Biospheres across Eastern Queensland and Northern New South Wales, each with its own unique character, but working together towards sustainability,” he said.

Mr Stewart said the Group would move quickly to commence the implementation of the Biosphere program.

“To make it work, we will need to build on the trust and support already given to the nomination, especially from industry groups, tourism bodies, councils and community members.”

The decision has been welcomed by international conservation organisation Fauna and Flora International.

Mark Rose, CEO of Fauna & Flora International said “This award puts the Great Sandy firmly on the global conservation map.”

“From Humpback whales to Cooloola monsters, the new Biosphere is a jewel in the crown of Australia’s natural wonders and Fauna & Flora International congratulates the team behind the bid.”

Media contact: Communications Officer Carl Moller 07 41812999 or 0447550199 or carl.moller@bmrg.org.au

Chairman Russell Stewart 0415 672 558

High resolution photos and a map can be found at the following web address: www.sharky-web.com/bmrg/Biosphere/

DVD footage of the Biosphere region is also available.

2009-04-26T22:14:00.000-07:00

Dam Opposition Still Well and Truly Afloat!

For a community that Government sources claim is starting to accept a dam, Mary Valley residents and others were showing no sign of it today.

Three years to the day since Peter Beattie’s shock announcement of plans to build a large dam at on the Mary River at Traveston crossing, several hundred canoeists and supporters turned out to a “floatilla” to show their energy for battle was undiminished. Paddlers were shown lungfish breeding sites and turtle nesting sandbanks before taking part in ceremony, celebrations, speeches and entertainment.

“Today we are celebrating our community’s resilience” said Save the Mary River Co-ordinating Group President Glenda Pickersgill. “We’re celebrating that we have dug our heels in and mounted a very strong case against damming this river.”

“Peter Beattie may have called it ‘hardly pristine’, Anna Bligh may say it’s been damaged by farming, but the real test has to be what lives in there now and with a number of unique species, this is pretty impressive. International turtle experts are even coming to regard the Mary as “ the turtle river”.

“This is why Premier Bligh was so keen not to make mention of the dam at her recent election launch. The irony is that as soon as she was elected, she claimed a mandate to build it. Many in Brisbane remember her ‘delay’ announcement and think it’s on hold,” Ms Pickersgill said.

This was the third “floatilla” on the river. After the first in 2006, Greens Senator Bob Brown told opponents to prepare for a long battle. When he visited the area in 2007, Roberto Epple of the European Rivers Network said to expect maybe a seven-year battle. From the looks of it, both pieces of advice have been well-heeded.

Dam opponents heard today of a ‘milestone’ legal challenge to the Paradise Dam fishway which will be heard in the Federal Court in September. The case, mounted by the Wide Bay Burnett Conservation Council and a coalition of Environment groups is significant as the Paradise fishway is intended as the model for use on Traveston Dam, should it go ahead.

“We’ve already won this on the science,” says Glenda, “and it’s defeating itself on the economics. Sometime soon the penny will drop for this government and they’ll realize they can’t cry poor to nurses and teachers and public servants wanting better conditions while they pour more money into the black hole that is the Traveston Crossing Dam proposal.”

Contacts: Glenda Pickersgill 07 54843150 Victor Hill mb 0407754925 Steve Posselt mb 043 813-8982. Photo by Tilly Hinton

2009-04-20T17:29:00.000-07:00

BATTLE FOR THE MARY

Save the Mary supporters and friends will take to their kayaks on Sunday, April 26 to mark 3 years of their fight against the controversial Traveston Dam. Once again the river will come alive with colorful kayaks and canoes, traveling downstream through the area proposed for the dam wall and ending at the Traveston Crossing Bridge.

Save the Mary Spokeperson Victor Hill said the day was to celebrate the resilience of the local community and to recognise the support from individuals and groups both throughout Australia and overseas. As the “battle” entered its fourth year, Mr Hill said it was timely to remember the observation of Roberto Epple of the European Rivers Network who said that on average, it took around seven years to stop a dam.

“Greens Leader Bob Brown also advised it would be a long fight,” Ms Pickersgill said, “and we’re more than ready for that.”

“Twelve months ago, Murray/Darling kayaker Steve Posselt was half way through his “Don’t Murray the Mary” trip. Since then he’s paddled several thousand letters to Peter Garrett in Sydney and has just released his book ‘Cry me a River’. Steve will be back with us on the day,” Ms Pickersgill said.

The “ floatilla” will start at 9am but Ms Pickersgill advised allowing plenty of time to get canoes in to the water.

Entry point is at 1865 Mary Valley Rd (as for previous floatillas). The “floatilla” will reach Traveston Crossing Bridge at around 11am and live entertainment, information and food will be available there until mid-afternoon.

STMRCG Media Contacts: Glenda Pickersgill mb 0411 443 589 Victor Hill mb 0407754925 Steve Posselt mb 043 813-8982.

Additional information:

Colour flyer: http://www.savethemaryriver.com/drpl/sites/default/files/Battle for the Mary

Registration form: http://www.savethemaryriver.com/drpl/sites/default/files/3rd Anniversary Canoe Floatilla registration.pdf

2008-12-06T00:40:00.000-08:00

Love, Mary launched in Brisbane

Jerry Coleby-Williams.

It was standing room only as more than a hundred people packed the Avid Reader Bookshop in West End on Thursday night for the launch of “Love, Mary”.

The event proved to be something of a political milestone with the book being jointly launched by Greens MP Ronan Lee and the LNP’s Shadow Minister for Sustainability, David Gibson.

That the launch took place in the Premier’s own electorate of South Brisbane, with local Greens candidate Gary Kane in attendance, the issue of the Traveston dam is planting more than a toehold in Brisbane.

Jerry Colbey-Williams, MC for the event, introduced an entertaining and impressive line up of speakers commending the book, including Kayak4Earth, Steve Posselt and Gubbi Gubbi Elder, Dr. Eve Fesl.

Author and project Co-ordinator Adele Coombs and graphic designer Glenbo Craig thanked the host of people involved in writing, editing and preparing the book in under six weeks. Adele said the book was “a vibrant call to arms” which has already commenced being spread throughout Australia.

Ms. Coombs said one of her main inspirations for the book were the words of Bob Brown at the Get Up Climate Torch Relay held in September this year.

“Senator Brown had said that day, if all 22 million Australians knew what damage was being proposed on the Mary River they would stand up and stop this dreadful dam. That got us thinking about other ways to get the message out,” said Ms. Coombs.

Young Angus Robinson of Kandanga who had celebrated his twelfth birthday on the day of the dam announcement just over two and a half years ago, spoke passionately about the effects of the proposal on his family and community.

Save the Mary River secretary Mr. David Kreutz unveiled plans of the new “Our family… to yours” promotion to make personal links between families in the Mary Valley and Brisbane homes.

‘Make no mistake,” said Mr. Kreutz, “The Traveston dam will be a key issue in the coming state election. ‘Love, Mary’ will be an important tool in that campaign.”

With the launch coinciding with the release of several reports commissioned by federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett all of which are critical of the proposal, it would be difficult to argue otherwise.

Contact: David Kreutz 0418 463 099 / Glenda Pickersgill 0411 443589

2008-12-05T04:41:00.000-08:00

The Campaign Continues ... A New Initiative

The campaign to Save the Mary River from the proposed Traveston Dam has just launched an exciting new initiative to inform Brisbane residents about the importance of preserving the river... and why the dam will not solve their water woes.

The initiative, called 'From my family... to yours' encourages people who live near the Mary River (from Maleny to Hervey Bay) to send a copy of the beautiful new book 'Love, Mary' to a randomly selected Brisbane family, along with a letter of explanation.

The letter has a very personal message to people in Brisbane - It’s an appeal to read the book and share it with friends and family. We’re asking them to stand with us and not let the Qld government destroy a vital river in their name.

Brisbane families have changed so much about how they use water. They’ve installed tanks, changed their habits and care deeply about where their water comes from. The fact that they’ve made these changes means the damming of the Mary at Traveston Crossing is not necessary. The popularity of the Traveston Crossing dam proposal has been in steady decline as people in Brisbane gain a greater understanding of the unsuitability of the site for a dam and the environmental consequence.

The Save the Mary River Coordinating Group has committed to pay the postage on all books heading to Brisbane as part of this initiative... so all you need to do is purchase a 'From my family...' pack which includes a copy of the book, the letter, a pre-paid envelope, and a random page of addresses from the Brisbane White Pages.

You can order the packs online at www.savethemaryriver.com/shop , or by visiting the Kandanga No Dam Info Centre beside the historic Kandanga Railway Station (ph. 07 5488 4800).

Many of you receiving this email don't live along the Mary River, so please feel free to forward it to friends or associates who do, who may be interested to take part in this fun and novel project to send our message loud and clear to Brisbane.

Cheers,
Arkin
www.stoppress.com.au

activism in pictures...

2008-11-27T04:12:00.000-08:00

Book Launch in Brisbane ... December 4

The Mary River now has its own book to share its story as one of the last remaining rivers still flowing relatively freely in south-east Queensland. Although the dam proposal has now been ‘delayed’, this book will continue the momentum of the campaign to save the Mary River, aiming to stop the proposed dam completely.

Book creators Adele Coombs and Glen Craig have designed ‘Love, Mary’ as a vibrant ‘call to arms’ which will be distributed across Australia. ‘This book tells stories of the Mary River’s endangered creatures like the lungfish and Mary River turtle alongside stories of real people from communities along the river,’ says Adele. ‘We want people to know there is far too much to lose if the proposed dam goes ahead. We are calling people across the country to stand with us to stop a destructive dam on the Mary.’

Book designer Glen Craig believes in the value of a book that can be held in the hand. ‘Although digital technology can be amazing, this is something tangible and compelling which can be touched, and can touch the heart’, says Glen. ‘It is essential that we reach people’s hearts as well as minds, in order to ask them to join with us to make sure this river keeps flowing to the sea.’

'Love, Mary’ is written as a love letter from the Mary River, filled with stories of the river’s life-giving journey from the Sunshine Coast hinterland to the Great Sandy Strait near Fraser Island. Stunning images have been donated by photographers including Arkin Mackay, Kevin Coppalotti, Stewart Riddell and the Gympie Times. This book tells the truth about the shallow dam proposal, failed large dams and fish ways in south-east Queensland, and the Mary River’s crucial freshwater flows to the Great Sandy Strait.

The official Book Launch of ‘Love, Mary’ will be held in West End, Brisbane at ‘The Avid Reader’ bookshop on the 4th of December at 6pm, where Mary Valley MP David Gibson along with Greens MP Ronan Lee will launch the book. There will also be launch events in Gympie, Hervey Bay, Maryborough, Kandanga and Maleny.

Sponsorship has funded printing costs for the book, and it is supported by the Save the Mary River Coordinating Group.

This is your invitation to attend a launch near you... please feel free to circulate this email widely.

If you can't make it to a launch... or are just too impatient to wait that long, you can order a copy online at www.savethemaryriver.com/shop or drop by the Kandanga No Dam Info Centre and pick one up.

Cheers,
Arkin

Upcoming Events:
Noosa Book Preview 28th November, Noosa National Parks Association Environment Centre 11.15am
Official Launch Brisbane 4th December, Avid Reader Bookshop, West End 6pm
Hervey Bay Book Preview 8th December Urangan Community Centre, 6.30pm
Maryborough Book Preview 9th December Maryborough Town Hall, 6.30
Kandanga Book Preview 10th December, Kandanga Hall, 6.30
Gympie and Maleny Previews to be advised.

2008-11-25T04:37:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-03T17:26:00.000-08:00

Campaign Paddles into Sydney Harbour

A crowd of media and supporters gathered in Sydney on Saturday afternoon, to welcome protest-kayaker Steve Posselt, after his long paddle down the coast from Queensland. Steve’s mission was to deliver several thousand letters of protest to Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett about the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam.

Minister Garrett was there at the Man-o-War wharf on the Botanic Garden side of the Sydney Opera House to greet Steve as he arrived with the protest letters.

Glenda Pickersgill from the Save the Mary River Group, who was in the crowd of welcomers, said, “It's not a small feat to paddle all the way to Sydney from Queensland and we thank Steve for the huge personal effort."

"Dams are a risky investment in a drying climate," said Jeff Angel, Director, Total Environment Centre. "They produce hundreds of tonnes of carbon-intensive methane from flooded vegetation and this contributes even more to climate change."

Cate Faehrmann, Executive Director, Nature Conservation Council, was also there to welcome Steve on his arrival. "More rain falls on Sydney and Brisbane each year than the total water used,” she said. “We need to capture it with rainwater tanks and stormwater harvesting. Dams are not a smart solution to water shortages in Sydney, Brisbane or anywhere else."

"We hope that Minister Garrett will reject the dam," said Kate Noble from the Australian Conservation Foundation. "The Traveston Crossing Dam will have a devastating impact on the Mary River and on species like the Lungfish that should be protected by Australia's environmental laws.”

2008-10-12T23:45:00.000-07:00

Save the Mary River Campaign Greeted by Crowds in Canberra

Mary River campaigner and 'Mud Marathon' runner Lindsay 'Butch' Titmarsh carried the GetUp Climate Torch the last 1km leg of its national relay to a waiting crowd of hundreds outside Parliament House in Canberra today.

The GetUp Climate Torch visited the Mary River in September this year drawing national attention to the campaign against the proposed Traveston Crossing dam.

Mr. Titmarsh first carried the torch on completion of his 'Double Mud Marathon' an 81kilometre run following the most direct route from the Southern to Northern headland of the Mary River at its mouth near Hervey Bay.

Mr. Titmarsh said that being invited to carry the torch at its grand finale in Canberra was a pretty big deal.

"I represented thousands of people who have been involved in the Climate Torch campaign as the torch made its way around Australia.

"This was the first demonstration I've actually been to. For me to be invited to Canberra, out of all the groups and issues represented by this torch, has been one of the highlights of my life" said Mr. Titmarsh.

Mr. Titmarsh, who's family have lived at 'Tandora' the last downstream property on the Mary River for the last 100 years, is deeply concerned about the impact a dam on the Mary River will have on the health of the Great Sandy Strait and Hervey Bay.

The Mary River estuary, a Ramsar and World Heritage wetland is home to dozens of endangered and threatened species including dugong, dolphins, turtles, migratory birds and whales.

This week, campaigners from the Save the Mary River group and Greater Mary Association will bring new research about the potential downstream impacts of the proposed dam to the attention of the Federal Government. The campaigners claim the Queensland Government is ignoring important research, including that related to lack of fresh water flows and hyper-salinity in Hervey Bay.

A decision is expected later this year by Peter Garrett, Minister for the Environment, pending his review of the Queensland Government's report and Environmental Impact Statement.

Photos: Lindsay Titmarsh carrying the torch (top); Lindsay with fellow campaigners Anne Stephens, Glenda Pickersgill and Tanzi Smith.

2008-10-06T22:55:00.000-07:00

Chronicle 6/10/08

Mary River myths busted

Myths about the Mary River were passionately 'busted' yesterday by environmental experts at the Hervey Bay Boat Club.

The River, the Bay and the Strait forum was aimed at getting more discussion and debate flowing throughout the Fraser Coast community about the proposed Traveston Crossing dam.

One guest speaker, scientist Steve Burgess, dismissed several myths which suggested the Mary River had plenty of flow and would not be significantly impacted by the proposed $2 billion dam.

"The government completely misses the point when it comes to what the dam would mean for the river downstream," he said.

"The Mary already suffers from low flows and runs into severe ecological problems.

"In dry times most of the land area downstream of the dam site actually takes more water from the river that what it puts back in. Damming the south east corner of the catchment would be catastrophic."

The 80-strong gathering also heard talks on the effects of climate change on river systems, new research on increasing hypersalinity levels in Hervey Bay, as well as the impact the dam could have on the migratory birds, seagrass, dugongs and vulnerable fish and turtle species which depended on the Great Sandy Strait and Mary River to thrive.

Guest speakers urged Fraser Coast residents to take their concerns about the proposed dam to local governments.

____________________________________________________

Salinity levels already unacceptable in Bay

The waters of Hervey Bay are already experiencing high salinity levels because of low Mary River runoff, low rainfall and high evaporation, an oceanographer has found.

If the proposed Traveston Dam foes ahead the salinity levels could become even worse.

"High salinity and variable freshwater flows have considerable implications for the marine environment, aquaculture and fisheries production," said Joachim Ribbe, an associate professor from the University of Southern Queensland.

"Obviously, during years of drought less freshwater is entering Hervey Bay and hyper salinity is more severe. This then impacts on marine environmental conditions."

Mr Ribbe said that during his two year investigative study he fould high salinity at Hervey Bay before a storm in June this year.

"After the storm the Mary River run-off was 300,000 mega litres. The rainfall and river runoff combined eroded the near shore high salinity."

2008-09-10T01:38:00.000-07:00

'Save Sandy Strait' Knitted River

The Mary River GetUp! Climate Torch Relay culminated in a massive human sign on the beach at Dayman Park on Sunday, September 7.

The 477m knitted scarf created by the people of the Mary Valley, was used to weave together people from the length of the Mary River to create the words. The message aimed to symbolise the connection between the proposed dam and the Great Sandy Strait.

Thanks so much to all who volunteered to help and all who formed part of the sign!

For more images go to:

http://picasaweb.google.com/greatermary/SaveSandyStraitKnittedRiver#

2008-07-01T19:02:00.000-07:00

Indigenous Affairs Minister Snubs Butchulla Concerns

Representatives of the Butchulla community left the Queensland Government's Community Cabinet Meeting in Hervey Bay on Sunday feeling offended and ignored by the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Lindy Nelson-Carr.

A formal delegation of three, including an Owens Clan Elder, met with the Minister to voice their concerns about the Traveston Crossing Dam proposal and the impacts it will have on Butchulla cultural heritage, but the Minister was not willing to discuss the issue.

"She dismissed our meeting, claiming the issue was not part of her portfolio," said Elisabeth Berry of the Greater Mary Association, who took part in the delegation.

"We didn't want to discuss the dam with her as such. We wanted to know why Butchulla people have been excluded from the consultation process, and why the Queensland Government has considered them irrelevant to the cultural heritage of the Mary River. The Butchulla see the Mary as the life-blood of their country, so this exclusion has been a grave insult to them. Even if the Minister could not answer these questions, she could at least have offered to ask them on our behalf.

"She showed no concern that the people she is employed to represent are hurting over this issue, and made no attempt to provide them with assistance. She simply referred us to Minister Craig Wallace because his portfolio covers native title issues."

The response left Owens Clan Elder Joyce Smith, who had earlier been called upon by Premier Anna Bligh to welcome the cabinet to Hervey Bay, feeling ignored. "I felt left out. Not good. It shouldn't have been like that," she said.

The Minister's attitude was not a complete surprise to Butchulla spokesperson Norman Barney, "but it still makes us feel like we're not respected, and that's not a very good thing for a Minister of Indigenous Affairs to do,' he said. "It makes us lose respect for that person. And that is certainly not good."

The Butchulla community is concerned about the impacts a dam on the Mary River would have on the Great Sandy Strait, and how changes in the river would affect their sacred sites and traditional practices. They believe a reduction in river flows would be devastating for both the estuary and Butchulla culture in general.

"That the Butchulla feel their very culture is threatened by the proposed dam is a very serious matter," Ms Berry said. "It means there may be serious ramifications within the Butchulla community, both culturally and socially, if the project goes ahead. Such a level of concern must be addressed by the Government. It must be taken seriously."

2008-06-30T18:23:00.000-07:00

We Socked It To 'em Again - in Hervey Bay!

Long-time campaigners against the TCD were overwhelmed by the turn out for the protest outside the ALP Community Cabinet Meeting in Hervey Bay on Sunday - our second rally this month.

Hundreds of people, young and old and from near and far, gathered outside the building at Wide Bay TAFE where Premier Bligh and her Ministers later met with deputations from the Fraser Coast community on a wide variety of issues. Ms Bligh and Andrew MacNamara (Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change and Hervey Bay MP) were escorted inside the venue by several uniformed and plainclothed police as the crowd vented their rage, screaming anti-dam sentiments at them. They also demanded Bligh "Sack Any Mac" (MacNamara) because he has failed so diabolically to represent his electorate on this issue.

Above: Bligh arriving.

Deputy Premier Paul Lucas didn't have it any easier. Someone stuck a 'NO DAM' sticker on his folder and he was quick to screw it up and throw it to the ground. (During the deputations Lucas was caught saying that water flowing out to sea is "wasted") But more on that in a future blog entry!!

2008-06-23T18:02:00.000-07:00

Gold Coast Rally a Huge Success

Hundreds of people turned out for the protest rally outside the ALP Conference on the Gold Coast this weekend - and there is no doubt the politicians knew we were there! At one point we could hear our chanted words "NO DAM" echoing off the building. Federal Treasurer, Wayne Swan even got a personal serenade as he walked into the convention building.

After the official speeches where we were joined by national media, the crowd gathered in front of a balcony where delegates were having lunch and we helped them to see we are serious about stopping this dam!

Go to the link below for photographs of the protest:

http://picasaweb.google.com/greatermary/RallyQldALPGoldCoastConvention21June08

There are also photos available at:

http://s183.photobucket.com/albums/x51/wwwwatch/CascadesRally/?albumview=grid.

The Rally has been mentioned in the West Australian, Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Brisbane Times - proof that this issue is truly national. For a short cut to these stories go to http://www.travestonswamp.info/forum/viewforum.php?f=12.

Next Sunday at the Community Cabinet we have an opportunity to put further pressure on Anna Bligh and her Government! The Bligh Government must be feeling the pressure at the moment with the gap between the ALP and the coalition reducing from about 20 points to 4 points on a two-party preferred basis. We need to have a massive turn out next Sunday to increase this pressure! Protest begins at 12:30pm at Wide Bay TAFE Uraween Rd.

2008-06-09T15:34:00.000-07:00

Dok’ku Event a Stunning Success!!

Despite having had to compete with the World's Greatest Pub Crawl in Maryborough, brass band competitions and the threat of strong winds and rain, a crowd of determined supporters gathered at Tandora Homestead this weekend to celebrate the Mary River. They sent a loud and clear message to the world, on behalf of all lovers of river and sea, that the Mary must never be dammed! (For background on this event please read the blog entry below)

In the late afternoon a shower which had been threatening to fall all day, finally travelled across the strait from Fraser Island way, momentarily interrupting speeches, but soon the cloud passed, the sun came out, and miraculously there was a drop in the wind and well over a hundred people began scattering across the Dok’ku site to start lighting the slightly dampened candles.

The ceremony was swift and effective. Just before sunset a helicopter began filming the display, circling the area as the sun went down and the giant image of the Mary River Cod and the word ‘DOK’KU’ began to glow brighter and brighter in the growing darkness.

On the hill overlooking the site proud participants raised ‘Mary River Forever’ signs to bring home the message to all who would view the footage being taken: that they care about the fragile ecosystems of the Mary River and Great Sandy Strait, and that it is vital both be protected for future generations of both land and sea.

It was a very moving experience for all involved. On behalf of the campaign, we offer a big thank you to Jorge and Erica and Art for Earth, the sponsors and participating environment groups, and all the volunteers who worked so very hard to make this event such a resounding success!

2008-05-26T19:24:00.000-07:00

DOK'KU Candle Event - Come and Light a Candle for Mary !!

Art for Earth Candle Installation outside Parliament House Canberra earlier this year.

Various groups from the Mary River area will converge at Tandora Homestead on the banks of the Mary River on Sunday 1st June to participate in creating DOK'KU, a spectacular illuminated artwork of a Mary River Cod using 4000 candles.

The Queensland Government, through Arts Queensland, has provided $14,446 to Art for Earth, a non-profit group, to create the display. The funding was provided under the regional partnerships category to support a collaboration between an internationally-renkowned artist (Jorge Pujol), indigenous community members, regional conservation groups, and volunteers from the general public. Over 4,000 candles will be used to create a 50 metre long Mary River Cod which will then be lit in a moving ceremony at sunset.

Jorge Pujol is well known for his candle installations around the world, including the "Sorry the First Step" event in Canberra for indigenous reconciliation, in collaboration with Getup. This latest project aims to celebrate the Mary River and Great Sandy Strait, and to raise awareness about the threat both now face.

'Dok'ku' is the local indigenous Butchulla word for Cod fish. The Mary River Cod is an endangered species and is an excellent visual symbol of not only river fauna in general, but the connection between the river and the sea and all the rare, vulnerable, threatened and endangered species that depend on the estuary, including dugong, indo-pacific humpback dolphins and loggerhead turtles.

Guest speakers at the event include representatives from Greenpeace, the Australian Conservation Foundation, and Steve Posselt, the cross country kayaker who recently completed a marathon journey along the full length of the Mary River to help expose the folly of the Traveston Crossing Dam (see blog entries below). Representatives from the Greater Mary Association and Save The Mary River Coordinating Group will also be there to participate in the candle lighting ceremony at sunset.

For those travelling from the valley, a free bus has been arranged from the Kandanga Save the Mary Info Centre and can pick up at Gympie. Ph 5488 4800 to book a seat. If you are arriving independently, you can find Tandora Homestead by turning off the Hervey Bay-Maryborough highway at Dundathu into Prawle Road and following the signs to the banks of the Mary River.

COME AND HELP CREATE DOK'KU! - TELL THE WORLD YOU CARE ABOUT THIS FRAGILE, THREATENED ECOSYSTEM!

Light one of 4,000 candles - no skills required.

Arrive 9am to help create the installation, or arrive 4pm to watch the candle lighting ceremony at sunset.

This event is guaranteed to raise national attention for the plight of the Mary River and the Great Sandy Strait. Footage of the installation will travel to Spain for the Zaragosa Expo on Water and Sustainability in July.

Learn more about Art for Earth at http://www.artforearth.net/

Media contact and further background information: Erica Neate Admin Coordinator Art For Earth ph 4128 7225.

2008-05-11T23:47:00.000-07:00

On Day 17 (April 26) of his 861 kilometre epic paddle, kayak adventurer and anti-Traveston dam campaigner Steve Posselt arrived at River Heads, and after a short break, continued down the Great Sandy Strait and out into the open sea to make his way back to Brisbane.

Among the crowd present to welcome him were Member for Wide Bay and Federal National Party Leader Warren Truss, and a very thankful Dewy the Dugong.

Later, as he travelled down the Strait, Steve wrote in his diary:

“Down near Boonooroo (about half way down the Strait) life is not as abundant as up near the mouth of the Mary … It has been suggested that this abundance of life is due to the influence of the Mary and it makes a lot of sense. To think that anyone would place all of this at risk is very saddening. One can only hope that it is due to ignorance but even that is no excuse when these people have access to information if they care to listen.”

Steve completed his epic journey up the Mary River in Brisbane on Saturday (May10) – well done Steve and crew!!

Go to http://www.kayak4earth.com/ for more information.

2008-05-01T16:16:00.000-07:00

Mary Kayaker on Home Stretch!

“Don’t Murray the Mary” kayaker Steve Posselt has now paddled the entire length of the Mary River, through Great Sandy Strait in the lee of Fraser Island and is due to reach Noosa, days ahead of schedule, on this coming Saturday, May 3rd.

His return to West End in Brisbane ( between Boundary St and Jane St) will take place a day earlier than anticipated, on the following Saturday, May 10 at 11am, four weeks after his departure.

Steve was able to take part in the second anniversary “Floatilla” at Traveston Crossing last Sunday, where he was joined by around a hundred other canoes, kayaks, rowboats and even an inner tube, in a colourful show of opposition to the proposed Traveston Crossing dam.

He has attracted considerable media attention on the trip, understandable given his national profile following his four month walk and paddle along the Murray darling last year and given that he is a past president of AWA, the Australian water Association.

Coinciding with Steve’s trip, and effectively underscoring his “Don’t Murray the Mary” message, Federal Climate Change and Water Minister Penny Wong delivered an inspirational and far-sighted address to the Australian Water Summit in Sydney on Tuesday. A copy of her speech can be downloaded from:

http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/wong/2008/pubs/sp20080429.pdf

It is well worth a read and describes a water future that is quite at odds with that proposed for the Mary.

Come and join the crowd celebrating his return and help by raising your voice for Mary. Buses are organized from Hervey Bay, Maryborough and Kandanga. The Hervey Bay bus leaves at 5.30am and will stop at Maryborough on its way to Brisbane.

For bookings contact Beryl Suttcliffe on 4121 6383 or leave a message on 0416169467, or send an email to http://au.f656.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=sutty53@lizzy.com.au

Follow Steve's Journey! Go to http://www.kayak4earth.com/

2008-04-14T03:54:00.000-07:00

Steve Posselt Continues on his Murray…. No, Mary…. Way

Murray-Darling kayaker Steve Posselt again took to the waters on Saturday. Launching from West End in Brisbane, he began what will be a 29 day paddle up the Brisbane and Stanley Rivers, down the Mary River, returning to Brisbane via the Great Sandy Strait in the lee of Fraser Island.

The trip, dubbed “Don’t Murray the Mary” is to focus attention on the unwillingness of both the Queensland Government and the Queensland Water Commission to examine alternatives to the Traveston Crossing Dam.

Recently the Water Commission released its fifty year plan for water for south-east Queensland but it began with Traveston Dam, both Stage One and Stage Two as givens, even though they have yet to receive the necessary federal environment approvals.

The plan then places Traveston and Wyaralong as the last dams to be built in the south-east corner before becoming more reliant on sources like desalination. Steve is no newcomer to the water industry having spent more than three decades as a water engineer and is a Past President of the Australian Water Association.

He was farewelled on his kayak epic by a crowd of well-wishers, many from the Mary Valley as well as members of the Gubbi Gubbi people led by Dr Eve Fesl, who have refused to accept what they dub a “state government bribe” to relinquish native title claims over the area.

Democrat Senator Andrew Bartlett, who was part of last year’s Senate Enquiry which found that the dam should not go ahead, spoke both eloquently and passionately against the proposal before launching Steve on his way.

It will be almost a week before Steve will manually tow his kayak up the steep slopes of the Conondale Ranges that separate the Stanley and Mary catchments and descend to enter the Mary River near Conondale in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

Steve plans to be at Traveston Crossing on Sunday April 27 to be part of a canoe “floatilla” to mark the second anniversary of the dam announcement.

Steve Posselt’s contact – 0438 138 982
April 27 Anniversary Flotilla contact – Glenda Pickersgill (07) 5484 3150 or 0411 443 589

Regular updates as well as a map and rough itinerary are available on http://www.kayak4eart.com/

Release by Ian Mackay ( imackay@bne.catholic.edu.au ) & Arkin Mackay (arkin@stoppress.com.au )

2008-03-27T17:36:00.001-07:00

Kayaker Joins the Fight:
'Don’t Let the Mary Become the Murray!'

LAST year when river campaigner Steve Posselt set out on his epic journey by foot and kayak from Brisbane to Adelaide via the Murray-Darling, he entered a world of unknowns.

For four months he paddled and walked, often dragging his wheeled kayak behind him as he wound his way through four states of Australia.

Steve plans to be at Traveston Crossing for the second anniversary of the State Government’s dam decision on April 27 when he will draw the media spotlight to the heart of the fight to save the Mary River.

He will then continue downstream through Maryborough, the Great Sandy Strait in the lee of Fraser Island, before paddling southward along the coast and back to Brisbane. The entire trip is estimated to take five weeks.

Steve’s earlier trip down the Murray-Darling system gave his Australian audience a fascinating journey as he made regular reports on the state of the rivers and spoke at many venues along the way.

The former water engineer is passionate about rivers and educating people about climate change, and it is this that fuelled the trip and turned him into a modern day adventurer.

Steve reached Adelaide at the end of September and is now turning his attention to the Mary River near Gympie where, despite massive opposition, the State Government is forging ahead with plans to build the Traveston Crossing Dam.

But Steve’s “involvement” amounts to much more than lobbying or letter writing. On April 12, he and his kayak will depart Brisbane paddling up the Brisbane River, across Wivenhoe Dam then across Somerset Dam on the Stanley River.

A gruelling walk with kayak will be necessary as Steve climbs out of the Stanley catchment near Woodford, climbs to Bellthorpe at the southern end of the Conondale Ranges and descends into the upper catchment of the Mary.

As with the Murray trip, Steve will maintain a regularly updated website on his travels and it is anticipated he will be joined by other paddlers along the way.

His message is plain. He can see the writing on the wall about climate change and its impact on our traditional methods of water supply and sees as sheer folly the addition of another dam when dams across Australia have been letting us down.

When he adds peak oil to the equation, he just shakes his head at the wisdom of flooding good farming land near urban centres when there are less expensive, more reliable alternatives.

Before setting out, Steve will give three presentations on his Murray Darling expedition as fund-raisers for the Mary trip: Noosa at the J on April 2 at 7.30pm, Gympie Civic Centre on April 3 at 7.30pm and Maryborough Town Hall on April 4 at 7.30pm.

Media contacts: Steve Posselt 0438 138 982
Ian Mackay 54460124
Kaili Parker-Price 0419 672947

2008-02-13T04:46:00.000-08:00

GMA Public Meeting

Tell Everyone About It!

The next campaign public meeting for the Greater Mary Association will be held this coming Monday (February 18th) at the Maryborough Town Hall, commencing at 7.30pm.

It should be an informative night. As well as updating everyone on GMA activities, we will also be welcoming Chair of the Save the Mary River Coordinating Group, Kevin Ingersole, and other key campaigners, to speak about the Save the Mary campaign and plans for the future. They will be more than happy to answer any of your questions and to hear your concerns. So please come along. We’d love to see you there!

For more information email the GMA - greatermary@gmail.com

2008-02-10T02:15:00.000-08:00

Market Stalls, Environmental Displays, Children's Tent

Singing and Drumming Workshops, Music, Green Tent,

Food, Buskers, Global Village and more ...

Headlining Band 'Wild Marmalade' (from Byron Bay) at 7.30 pm

For more information contact Vicki Shapcott 5482 7535

or Joolie Gibbs 5481 0733

2008-02-02T00:34:00.000-08:00

Australia Day - Celebrating our Beach Lifestyle

This year as Fraser Coast residents and visitors celebrated their national day, it was also a chance to rally support to protect our coastal environment and inform the community about the threat it now faces.

Members of the Greater mary Association (GMA) joined forces with Trevor the Mary River Turtle and bikini clad teenagers at a stall in Urangan's Pier Park on Saturday evening to provide the community with information and the opportunity to voice their concerns about the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam.

It was the first Fraser Coast appearance of the 'NO DAM' bikini (supplied by the Save the Mary River Coordinating Group) which proved to be an ideal symbol for the Hervey Bay campaign, representing our coastal lifestyle and helping to reinforce the very real connection between the proposed dam and the future of our seaside community. Thanks Chantelle and Sam for showing them off so well and getting so many submissions signed in the process!

The event was a chance to gather more submissions and letters to forward to the Federal Environment Minister, amongst others, in response to the Environmental Impact Statement released by QWI late last year. Although the deadline for submissions to the Coordinator General closed on the 14th, there will be no stopping the flood of comment that will continue to be produced and posted to the Federal and State Governments until the dam proposal is squashed once and for all.

2008-01-20T15:19:00.000-08:00

Celebrations at Kandanda Pub

A crowd of campaigners and campaign supporters gathered at the Kandanga pub on Thursday night to celebrate a major hurdle in the fight against the Traveston Crossing Dam - responding to the EIS.

The deadline for submissions to the Coordinator-General was Monday (January 14) and a fantastic effort was made by all. A total of more than 16,000 submissions were made from people all over the south-east Queensland.

On the Fraser Coast the Greater Mary Association (GMA), with the help of an army of volunteers, organised the signing of around 10,000, mainly short submissions, along with hundreds of letters to Andrew Macnamara (Member for Hervey Bay), Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett and Federal Minister for Climate Change Penny Wong.

"The farcical and flawed Environmental Impact Statement contemptuously dismissed any impacts downstream of the proposed dam," said the Chairman of the GMA, Darryl Stewart. "This response sends a clear message to the State Government that their jackboot approach will not be tolerated.

2008-01-15T00:44:00.000-08:00

Indigenous Community Outraged

Anger over the State Government's lack of consultation with indigenous groups about the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam has been simmering among members of the Owens Clan of the Butchulla tribe in Hervey Bay.

The State Government has considered the Butchulla community 'irrelevant' and has excluded them from the consultation process, on the pretext that no part of the dam construction would be on Butchulla land, even though the Terms of Reference (TOR) does not restrict the consideration of cultural heritage to the dam footprint area.

This has been taken as a grave insult by members of the Fraser Coast Butchulla community.

The Mary River is considered by all Butchulla people to be the life-blood of their country and they feel the dam poses a threat to the survival of their culture. Their concerns are particularly related to the impacts a reduction of environmental flows from the Mary would have on the Strait, and how changes in the river would affect sacred sites and traditional practices. They are acutely aware of the importance of floods, both large and small, for river and estuary health. The affects of infrastructure already existing on the river have been keenly observed, and the feeling is unanimous that a further reduction in flows would be devastating for both the estuary and Butchulla culture in general.

Key members of the Owen's Clan in Hervey Bay have voiced their outrage in a submission responding to the EIS. A copy of this will soon be available on ourgreatsandy.com.

2007-12-07T23:08:00.000-08:00

Images of Strait to be Displayed in Spain

Images of the Great Sandy Strait by local photographer Stewart Riddell will soon be heading to Spain as part of a Mary River campaign 'Homage' display at the 2008 International Zaragosa Expo 'Water and Sustainable Development'.

The battle to stop the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam is expected to be the only Australian issue to win a place at the expo. Project manager Wayne Cameron, of the Brisbane-based Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee, said until his project was nominated, Australia was not represented among the 100 nations involved in the expo which carries the theme 'Water and Sustainable Development'.

“We got in at the last minute, and we have had our professional team approved by the international body, and while our collaborators are all highly regarded in their own right, we are participating with Nobel Prize winners from some of these countries."

And like everything in this ground roots campaign to stop a predicted environmental disaster in South-East Queensland, Australia, it is being presented by volunteers.

“Ours is the only country which has not secured government support or funding at any level for our representation at this most important expo,” Mr Cameron said.

Expo Zaragoza 2008 will run from June 14-September 14 in the Spanish city. It is an International Exposition regulated by the International Expositions Bureau, and the first of these was held in London in 1851. Since its success, numerous expositions have been held all over the world, including the Paris Exposition of 1889, which gave birth to the Eiffel Tower.

Roberto Epple is the executive director of the European Rivers Network, which is collaborating with the Zaragoza-based Foundation for a New Water Culture (FNCA) to invite international non-government organisations to participate in a multi-media exhibit entitled “Homage to the Affected of Water Policies”, which will form the centrepiece of the Pavilion of Citizens Initiatives. The project “Mary River Catchment – Traveston Dam Proposal” has been approved for entry along with 21 international case studies.

ERN and FNCA are collaborating to provide partial seed funding to assist the production of the 'Homage' which will use writing, photography and film to capture the human rights issues of both the affected Mary River community and environmental effects on the catchment and its immediate region.

It is planned the “Homage” presentation will participate in other expositions in big cities all around the world after the closing of the three months Zaragoza exposition.

2007-11-28T22:56:00.000-08:00

Submission Deadline Extended!

Some great news for those campaigners and supporters frantically trying to complete a response to the Government's 1600 page Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or a section thereof ... the deadline for submissions has been extended to January 14!

According to a public notice released yesterday, "a number of discrepencies" had been identified in the report, so the Co-ordinator General granted the extension. An addendum has been produced and a copy will be circulated to those interested as it comes to hand.

So folks, we now have an additional six weeks or so to gather more evidence of the flaws in this ludicrous proposal! Fantastic news.

Please don't hesitate to contact us for help or more information.

2007-11-20T23:49:00.000-08:00

Stall at Nikenbah Markets

Trevor the Mary River Turtle helped out on our campaign stall at the Nikenbah Markets (Hervey Bay) last weekend. Although some children - even some adults - find him a bit scary from time to time, overall he is a big hit wherever he goes and is no doubt developing a bit of a fan club along the way.

The stall itself was one of numerous being held at markets throughout the region as part of the campaign initiative to not only raise awareness about the dam, but also gather public submissions against the EIS.

'Needle' submissions - i.e. small, one-pagers - commenting on various aspects of the EIS have been prepared by the campaign and presented to people for signing. It is hoped the thousands of submissions collected will send a message loud and clear to the Government that Fraser Coast residents and visitors alike don't want a dam on the Mary River.

2007-11-03T22:32:00.000-07:00

Fraser Coast Campaign Group Formed!

After the public meeting at the Neighbourhood Centre in Maryborough on October 31, finally a new campaign group has been formed on the Fraser Coast - The Greater Mary Association(GMA). Although the longterm wellbeing of the Mary River and Sandy Strait will be of concern to the group in the future, currently it's key aim will be to galvanise the efforts of anti-dam campaigners across the region, with the aim of focusing on downstream issues, in particular, the impacts of the dam on the Mary River estuary.

At the meeting, GMA executive members were elected (Darryl Stewart, John Kingston, Tanzi Smith, Elisabeth Berry, Alan Bray, Gilbert Allison, Cliff Greenhalgh) and numerous residents from Maryborough Hervey Bay, Tiaro and beyond were lining up to join and offer their support to the campaign.

Fingers crossed that the intentions and goals of this new association will be achieved!

2007-10-28T18:36:00.000-07:00

EIS RELEASED - URGENT RESPONSE NEEDED!

With the recent release of the State Government’s 1600 page Environmental Impact Study (EIS) into the Traveston Crossing Dam - outrageous stuff! - a new wave of protest is swelling on the Fraser Coast. If you would like to view the Executive Summary of the report, ourgreatsandy has a pdf version available. If you'd like a copy, send us an email.

On Thursday, (October 25) a meeting was held in Maryborough to canvas for expressions of interest in forming a Lower Mary/Great Sandy Strait association, with the initial aim of bringing together campaign efforts from all lower Mary communities, including Maryborough, Hervey Bay, Tiaro, and villages down the Strait.

Now, a public meeting has been called to form an official committee.

When: Wednesday, October 31st , 7.30pm start
Where: Maryborough Neighbourhood Centre – Ellena Street

It is short notice, but the situation is urgent. Members of the public only have until December 3 (that's only five weeks) to make submissions in response to the EIS. It is vital that residents of Fraser Coast communities express their concerns about the dam to the Federal Government.

Hope to see you at the meeting!

2007-09-24T00:24:00.000-07:00

Twitching for Mary - Attention Birdwatchers!

Bird Watchers are needed to take part in “Twitching for Mary" on Sunday 7th October.

Teams of 3-4 people will be assigned to properties from the Conondales to the sea, to survey the area anytime between 6 am & 6 pm.

In light of the existing and proposed threats to the Mary Catchment, there is a need for greater understanding of bird populations and distributions.

The survey will help gather information on the fauna of the Mary River, and organisers need many interested observers to participate in this important event.

Data collected on the day will be submitted to Birds Australia (Birds Atlas), Burnett Mary Regional Group, Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee and the Save the Mary River Coordinating Group, which could be helpful for the Environmental Impact Statement’s submission. It will also help target future bird conservation activities throughout the region.

If you are able to participate please send an e-mail ASAP with “Twitching for Mary” as the subject heading to greenlinnet@cooloola.net or phone Dawn Forrer or Robert Bell on 5485 2836. Teams need to be finalised before the 30th September.

2007-09-12T03:23:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-09-01T01:32:00.000-07:00

Surprise sighting on Hervey Bay Beaches
Clumps of Water Hyacinth have been sighted on beaches around the Bay and on Fraser Island after the recent heavy rains and flooding of the Mary River.

Much of the massive 'dead zone' of noxious weed, including salvinia molesta, which had been suffocating the Mary for several kilometres near Gympie, was flushed out to sea by the floods. Fortunately, hyacinth doesn't like salt water. The concern for some has been the impacts the dying weed would have on seagrass beds if it sank to the sea floor.

This deposit on the beach near the Urangan Fish Market was the largest we found.

Other signs of 'river flushing' have been reported from Kingfisher jetty on Fraser Island. Soon after the storm a great plume of brownish cloudy water, packed with nutrients, was spotted approaching the jetty through the clear blue water, where it lingered for several days. It was a perfect illustration of just how far-reaching the influence of the Mary's environmental flows are in the Strait, and how vital it is that these flows continue!

2007-08-20T23:45:00.000-07:00

CAMPAIGN MEETING IN HERVEY BAY!

Next Tuesday, August 28, we will be holding our first campaign meeting in Hervey Bay. The event aims to bring together members of the community who want to be involved in the campaign, or would simply like to learn more about it - the focus, of course, being on the threat the dam poses to the Great Sandy Strait.

Key members of the Save the Mary River Coordinating Group (STMRCC) will be there to bring us up to date on the latest developments and answer questions. We’d love you to join us!

Campaign Meeting
Date: Tuesday, August 28th
Location: Urangan Community Centre—Botanic Gardens, Elizabeth Street
Time: 7.00pm start

Hope to see you there!

2007-08-20T23:12:00.000-07:00

Hervey Bay Whale Festival

Members of the team outside a campaign stall in the 'Blue Tent', at the Annual Hervey Bay Whale Festival in August.

2007-08-13T01:06:00.000-07:00

MEDIA RELEASE

ACTION GROUP TO HOLD INDEPENDENT MEETING TO ASSESS SOCIAL IMPACTS

Dam opponents will hold their own meeting to record the anticipated social pain of the downstream communities should the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam go ahead.

The Save the Mary River Co-ordinating Group will facilitate the meeting to be held in the Maryborough City Hall on Tuesday 21 August at 7.00 pm.

“This meeting will give every member of the public the opportunity to participate in a social impact assessment and not just the select few invited to the workshop run by the State government a few weeks ago,” said Kevin Ingersole, the group Chairman.

“Queensland Water Infrastructure is required to do a social impacts assessment and they deliberately have not asked residents as individuals for their response. Well, we are giving the people their opportunity. The responses collected at this meeting on a confidential basis will be included in the information sent to the Federal Government which will make the final decision on whether this dam is built or not,” he said.

At the meeting, Mr. Ingersole will explain the QWI approach to the Social Impacts Assessment and why the Save the Mary River Group does not support it.

To give residents the opportunity to speak freely, media representatives will not be invited.

In helping to organise the meeting, Tiaro Councillor Darryl Stewart said that the conservative estimates of a $300 million downturn in economic activity downstream if the dam is built ensures that the social impact of the dam will be tragically enormous from Gympie right out into Hervey Bay and all communities in between.

“The Premier and his Deputy have completely ignored and dismissed out of hand all consideration of the downstream communities in pushing their unnecessary and unwanted political barrow,” he said. “Consultation and democratic rights are obviously words not included in the Premier’s dictionary.”

Maryborough Mayor Barb Hovard and her Council are fully supportive of the need for people to have input into the process.

“This meeting will probably be the only opportunity for our regional residents to tell the government how they believe the proposed dam will affect them,” she said. “I urge as many people as possible to find the time to come along and be heard.”

For Further Information, contact :

Kevin Ingersole Ph. 54884219 Mob 0419538499

Darryl Stewart Ph 41296190

2007-07-25T02:43:00.000-07:00

Local Business Community Starting to Listen

The second in a series of three 'Traveston Dam' presentations for the Hervey Bay Chamber of Commerce took place this morning. Last month (June 25) Roger Currie (pictured) spoke on behalf of the campaign, trying to cover as many of the downstream impacts - particularly economic - as possible in a short space of time. Today it was the Government's turn, and Hervey Bay's Labor Member, Andrew Macnamara, attempted to explain how the dam will benefit the community and the future of Queensland.

Here's a quick summary of the key points given by both presenters ...

Roger Currie outlined:

the Cost Benefits Analysis (CBA) carried out on the dam and the substantial economic loss to the region should the 70,000mgl annual yield of the Mary Catchments be allocated to Brisbane
the potential ecological losses to the region - how the dam will mean reduced ‘essential triggering flows' entering the RAMSAR Great Sandy Strait
the potential indicative economic values of the Great Sandy Ramsar Wetland
that the statement that the environmental health of the Mary River will not be significantly affected by a large dam at Traveston Crossing because 'end of system' flows will be maintained in excess of 85% of pre-development flows, is simply not supported by the comprehensive scientific investigations that have already taken place during the formulation of the Mary Basin Water Resource Plan.

He also referred to Paradise Dam (which, incidently, has been voted by the World Commission on Dams as one of the most disasterous dams in the world) and the Government's failure to successfully mitigate for Lungfish there. In doing so they breached the conditions of approval under the EPBC 1999.

Read Roger's submission to the Senate Inquiry here.

Today, Andrew Macnamara said:

He supports the Traveston Dam because (he says) it is vital for Queensland's future
The dam will produce economic benefits that will offset the losses
If the Environmental Impact Study stacks up the dam will go ahead; if it doesn't, it won't
Anyone who opposes the dam is arguing for zero population growth
He only supports the dam on the basis of Government flow reports (referred to Roger's calculations as the 'back-of-envelope' sort)
That those against the dam are suffering from NIMBYism, which hinders progress

As the latter 'Anna Bligh' style remark indicates, the speech offered nothing but the usual party spiel, with very little acknowledgement of the negative impacts.

There was time for questions after today's speech, and the issues raised by chamber members were encouraging. Referrence was made to some of the points made in Roger's presentation and they clearly had serious doubts about the wisdom of this dam.

The third in the series of presentations will be given by Graham Newton, speaking on behalf of Queensland Water and Infrasture (QWI) in August.

Stayed tuned.

2007-05-27T01:09:00.000-07:00

Fraser Coast Show Success

We are very pleased to report that nearly 300 people signed our 'paper' petition at the Fraser Coast Show on Friday (Sign our online petition here!). There is a great deal of anger and disbelief in the community about the dam, and it was encouraging for the campaign to be reminded that it has so much support behind it.

Discussion during the day with politicians was both sobering and inspiring. It was reaffirmed that, despite all the efforts being made to show the disasterous environmental, social and cultural impacts of the dam, none of it will give the Federal Environment Minister the power to interfere with the State Government's plans unless an exact infringement of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act (EPBCA) can be proven. This means the Minister will only act if, one: an 'endangered' species (not threatened) is going to be impacted (try this list for starters! ... http://econews.org.au/threatened.jpg), or two: if it can be proven that the Ramsar listed wetland of the Great Sandy Strait will be affected.

Well we have plenty of ammunition on both counts. (For those of you who haven't read about it at ourgreatsandy.com, much of the Strait has been listed as a Ramsar Wetland of International/National Significance since 1999, and this means, under the EPBC Act, any action that has, will have, or is likely to have a significant impact on its ecological character cannot proceed without approval from the Federal Environment Minister. To obtain approval, the action must undergo a rigorous environmental assessment and approval process.)

Pictured: Supporters signing the petition at the show (EB seated).

2007-05-07T22:07:00.000-07:00

Yag'ubi World Music Festival -
Our First Stall in Hervey Bay!

Well we've finally got the ball rolling in Hervey Bay! Our first 'Save the Great Sandy' stall was held in the Green Tent of the Yag'ubi Festival on the weekend, and members of the Save the Mary River group joined us there. We received quite a lot of interest in the campaign, not only from locals, but also visitors from Brisbane, and a number of names were added to our new 'VOLUNTEER REGISTER', which we will soon use to form a campaign body right here in Hervey Bay. Keep an eye on the website for further developments.

Our next stall will be held at the Fraser Coast Show in Maryborough on May 24-25. Merchandise will be for sale. Hope to see you there!

Pictured: Elisabeth Berry, Tricia Roth and Joan Berry, with Glenda Pickersgill in the background. Keith Gall was behind the camera.

2007-04-26T00:51:00.000-07:00

‘Mary River Forever’ - Amen

The ‘Sisters of Mary’ alongside Senator Barnaby Joyce and others, on the steps of the Brisbane Convention Centre, day two of the Senate Inquiry into the dam. The previous day more than a hundred people crammed into the small conference centre at Gympie for the first hearing.

A total of 199 submissions were received by the Senate, and all but one—the State Government’s—were critical of the dam proposal. A number of those who made a submission had the opportunity to make presentations at the hearings and were subject to cross examination. Social, environmental and economic impacts were tabled, although the media’s coverage has, once again, been largely concerned with upstream issues. ourgreatsandy.com (read our submission here) joined the Fraser Island Defenders Organisation (FIDO) (here), in drawing attention to the impacts expected to occur in the Great Sandy region. The Hervey Bay City Council (HBCC) also reinforced these concerns by re-entering the ourgreatsandy.com submission.

The inquiry will resume in Canberra in May to hear submissions on alternatives to the Traveston project, including Federal Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s proposal to pump water from northern New South Wales rivers to southeast Queensland.

2007-04-09T00:49:00.000-07:00

Dolphin Research—Our Newest Weapon?

Recently there has been a bit of hype over Southern Cross University (SCU) researchers shooting darts at dolphins in Tin Can Bay and scaring them away from a popular dolphin feeding spot in the area.

The research process was labelled ‘inhumane’ by owners of Barnacles Dolphin Centre—the operators of the feeding site (which would have been illegal if the State Government hadn’t ignored its environmental protection laws once again.)

What the researchers were actually doing was collecting tissue samples (less that 5mls of tissue) from the animals in an attempt to determine their migratory patterns—the extent of their family trees and whether or not they migrate to other waters. It was the latest in a number of dolphin research expeditions in the Great Sandy Strait/Hervey Bay area by SCU. In 2004-2005 a study was made into the distribution and abundance of Indo Pacific Humpback Dolphins (sousa chinesis) in the area, with some impressive conclusions made, including the fact that Great Sandy and Hervey Bay support the largest number of dolphins recorded in Australia.

Results of the biopsies taken in Tin Can Bay last week are now being claimed to have the potential to stop the damming of the Mary River, because, like the dugong, a dam could have a detrimental affect on dolphin food sources, and threaten the very survival of dolphin populations in the area.

2007-04-02T00:28:00.000-07:00

The Battle to Get Brisbane Onside

It’s not the first time the campaign has been taken to the streets (or in this photo’s case, river) of Brisbane, but the need to convince the people of the capital that the dam is the wrong way to go was reinforced at a public information forum held in West End on Saturday.

Queensland Senator Andrew Bartlett, a long term supporter of the Save the Mary River Group, hosted the session, which aimed to give Brisbane residents the facts on the dam and the threats it poses to the environment. Professor Stuart White from the Sydney University of Technology was also in attendance, presenting an outline of the anti-dam report he co-authored, after being commissioned by the Mary River Council of Mayors.

“We need to get Brisbane people on-side,” Senator Bartlett was quoted as saying in the Fraser Coast Chronicle. “The Government has already programmed themselves to ignore people outside Brisbane.”

Indeed, according to Queensland Deputy Premier, Anna Bligh, people outside Brisbane who are against the dam are suffering from nothing but a classic case of ‘NIMBY’ (i.e. ‘not-in-my-back-yard’) syndrome. She says we are selfish for wanting to prevent wide-scale environmental, social and cultural destruction in the landscapes we love; that instead we should be willing to sacrifice them for the greater good … blah blah. Sounds all too much like the ‘Local Pain for National Gain’ myth Arundhati Roy blasts in The Cost of Living; a biting commentary on dams in India. Well worth a read if you’re interested in this subject.

2007-03-24T00:15:00.000-07:00

Mega Dam a Fool’s Errand

It was fantastic to hear yesterday that actor Donald Sutherland has spoken out against the Mary River dam proposal. The Hollywood superstar was in Hervey Bay this week filming for a movie called ‘Fool’s Gold’, which also stars Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson.

‘I’m urging you to campaign strongly against the damming of the Mary River,’ Sutherland was quoted as saying in the Fraser Coast Chronicle.

He was passionate about the issue and said local residents must do all they can to save our Mary. He referred to other countries like India, where the damming of rivers has been a total disaster.

“Just don’t dam the river because this is such a beautiful place and needs to be kept that way,” he said.

Below is a snap looking towards Moon Point – the northernmost tip of the Great Sandy Strait—where the cast and crew filmed for a few days. (If you know the area and you watch the film, you might just see some familiar scenes!)

2007-03-20T00:23:00.000-07:00

In a Town, By a River ...

Last night, March 19, Maryborough held its second ‘NO DAM’ public information event in the Town Hall. Despite having a ‘black out’ half way through organizers managed to keep things running. The hall has good acoustics so the speakers on the stage were able to continue with their presentations in the darkness, despite the absence of a microphone.

One of the main aims of the evening was to discuss the Senate Inquiry and encourage members of the community to make a submission before the deadline in early April. The Save the Mary Coordinating Group also screened their documentary The Damning of Mary by Big Love Productions.

2007-02-22T11:46:00.000-08:00

Déjà vu? - Mary’s ‘Flotilla of Hope’

You might find it a familiar image: Bob Brown, on a river, surrounded by NO DAM placards. Indeed you may ask, is this a scene from the eighties Franklin campaign in Tasmania? Well, no, the photo was taken in the year 2006 in Queensland, where, despite the fact that most First World nations now realise mega dams are not the best solution to increasing water problems, the debate is happening all over again.

This flotilla took place last May to draw media attention to the campaign against the Mary River dam at Traveston. Greens Leader, Senator Bob Brown, sat proudly at the helm, leading more than a hundred canoes, kayaks, even surfboards, on a two hour journey down the Mary to Traveston Crossing—the site of the proposed dam wall.

The crowd on Traveston Crossing Bridge, waiting for the flotilla to approach. Beyond the trees in the distance, police guarded the drill site where officials were drilling bore holes to test the suitability of the ground for a mega dam. Experts predict the foundations will not be suitable. A scientist from the University of Queensland has stated that up to three metres of water could be lost each year to leakage, in addition to the metre already expected to be lost through evaporation!

that day, in the Kandanga Hall, the crowd nearly lifted the roof with applause and protest. We were a small group representing Hervey Bay—which has since become the norm at these campaign events. People downstream just don’t seem to understand how far reaching the effects of this dam will be.

During his speech Bob Brown declared he would personally take the fight against the proposed Traveston Crossing site to Canberra. ‘If I have anything to do with it, this dam will not go ahead!’ he said.

He compared the current battle with that of the Franklin which was won against unthinkable odds. Everybody except the environmentalists were for the Franklin dam. Everyone except the Beattie government, however, is united against the damming of the Mary. That has to count for something.

‘Dams are so last century,’ Sen. Brown said. ‘Water efficiency and recycling are the new way forward.'

2007-02-04T00:09:00.000-08:00

World Wetlands Day—February 3, 2007

Downstream impacts of the proposed dam were the major focus at Cooloola’s first ever World Wetland’s Day celebration this weekend.

Concerned residents of Tin Can Bay turned out to listen to the experts. Being World Wetlands Day, there was a particular emphasis on the ways the dam would effect the Great Sandy Strait. Tin Can Bay is south of Hervey Bay, at the southern most end of the strait.

The four member panel here pictured—Roger Currie, Steve Burgess, Darryl Stewart and Steve Dennis—covered the issues eloquently and passionately, with a bit of song thrown in.