Dam evictions must cease now
26th November, 2008
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh must stop the forced evictions of people living in the site of the proposed Traveston Crossing dam, Federal Member for Wide Bay Warren Truss said today.The announcement that the dam is to be delayed by four years or more means that the land required for the dam will not be needed for at least seven years, should the dam proceed.
“Hundreds of people living under the shadow of the proposed Traveston Crossing dam have been served with eviction notices requiring them to leave their properties, as the Queensland Labor Government acquired their land,” Mr Truss said.
“Given the dam delay, Ms Bligh must order that these evictions cease immediately and allow former land owners and occupiers to return to their homes and farms.
“The disgusting, undemocratic treatment that people in Mary River communities have been subjected to by the Beattie and Bligh Governments has caused heartache and despair.
“People have suffered emotionally and financially and had their livelihoods, businesses and dreams shattered by being evicted from their properties for a project that any reasonable person would doom to failure,” Mr Truss said.
“There is only one solution that will protect the environment and bring peace to the Mary Valley. The Government must totally abandon its pursuit of this ill-considered and ill-conceived dam.”
“The people are entitled to closure of this issue so they can get on with their lives.”
