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

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...

Book Launch in Brisbane ... December 4

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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.

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

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.”

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.

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."

'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#

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."

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!!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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/

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 )

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.