Peter Garrett invited to visit Mary Valley
14th February, 2008
The Federal Member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss, has invited the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett, to visit the Mary Valley to inspect the proposed Traveston Crossing dam site.
Mr Truss extended the invitation when speaking today in Federal Parliament to the Government-General’s Opening Address.
Mr Truss said the new Environment Minister has a crucial decision to make on the approval of the Traveston Crossing Dam.
“It is essential that Mr Garrett visits the area to meet people and see the issues for himself,” Mr Truss said.
“The Traveston Crossing Dam would devastate the Mary Valley. The project does not stack up on economic, social, engineering or environmental grounds. While the Federal Government cannot stop the project on economic grounds, it must act on the environmental implications.”
Mr Truss referred to the threat to the lungfish, Mary River turtle and the Mary River cod as amongst the environmental issues Mr Garrett would need to consider.
Mr Truss said the Traveston Crossing site had been rejected by previous governments on numerous occasions. There were much cheaper and better ways to deliver water to Brisbane.
“Had the Goss Labor Government, with its chief adviser Kevin Rudd, not cancelled the Wolfdene Dam, Brisbane would not have had a water shortage this summer and the Traveston Crossing dam would not be needed.”
Mr Truss offered to host the visit to the Mary Valley by Mr Garrett and to make sure he met key local groups in a genuine fact-finding mission. Mr Garrett, who was present in the chamber to hear Mr Truss’ request, nodded his agreement to visit the area.
