Saturday 6 September 2008

Government to shelve its proposal to build the destructive Traveston Crossing Dam on the Mary River.

Senator Brown today joins local residents for the GetUp! Climate Torch Relay, a national campaign for Australia to reduce carbon pollution.

Senator Brown said the dam could lead to the loss of at least three endangered species, and would continue to cause deep community distress and social dislocation.

"The environmental impacts on the Mary River Turtle, the Mary River Cod, the Australian Lungfish, and other endangered species - together with the threat the dam poses to the Great Sandy Strait wetland and the Fraser Island world heritage area are ample grounds for the project to be ruled out under the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999."

"It is an opportunity for the federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett to step in and act to protect the unique environment of the Mary River catchment."

Senator Brown said the Queensland Government had failed to plan sufficiently for water supplies for South-East Queensland.

"Now the communities of the Mary River Valley and the environment of the Fraser Coast are being asked to pay the price - there are better alternatives for South East Queensland."

"All water is needed in the catchment where it falls - and the Mary River should remain the heart of the community."

"Inter-catchment transfer comes at a high environmental cost and also a high economic cost - it's not a good option."

For more information: Alison Hetherington 0438962998