Conservation Centre funding is bizarre
10th October, 2007
The Queensland Labor Government’s announcement of a $35 million Freshwater Species Conservation Centre in the Mary Valley is no solution to the environmental destruction which will be caused by the Traveston Crossing Dam.Federal Member for Wide Bay Warren Truss has described the proposed Conservation Centre as bizarre.
“Premier Anna Bligh has lost direction in her attempts to justify the ill conceived Traveston Crossing Dam,” Mr Truss said.
“The Dam is a prime threat to the future of many freshwater species like the unique Queensland Lungfish, the Mary River Cod and the Mary River Turtle. A decent Freshwater Species Conservation Centre would end up recommending the destruction of the dam it sits beside.”
Mr Truss said the Queensland Government must do the research on the impact the dam is going to have on freshwater species in the region before it goes ahead with the dam.
“The Federal Government will expect to have the kind of information this centre will discover before considering approval of the dam under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act,” he said.
“Surely Anna Bligh is putting the cart before the horse by building a dam then committing millions of taxpayers dollars to investigate the impact the dam has had on the environment.”
“Or is it that this Centre is to be a zoo containing the last remaining lungfish, cod and turtles before their extinction.”
“I applaud the commitment of funds for a Conservation Centre on the banks of Traveston Crossing Dam. But I have a better idea. Build a Conservation Centre on the banks of the Mary River, and let the Mary River be.”
Ends
