** 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.

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.

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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

***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.

***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

***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.