Biggest dam test for Garrett
6th October, 2009
Federal Member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss today said that Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, faces his biggest environmental test now that the Queensland Labor Government has finally forwarded its proposed Traveston Crossing dam project to him for assessment.“All that stands in the way of the Traveston Crossing dam and the fate of the endangered Mary River Cod, Mary River Turtle, Giant Barred Frog, the vulnerable Queensland Lungfish, the RAMSAR listed Great Sandy Strait, and the entire Mary Valley is Peter Garrett,” Mr Truss said.
“Anna Bligh has put her spin machine into overdrive. Her incredible claim that this ‘sets new standards for environmentally responsible dam building’ is beneath contempt.
“The fact that there are more than 1200 conditions and requirements that would be imposed on the dam is a clear demonstration of just how bad this unwanted and unnecessary dam is.
“How can anyone have any faith that there is any openness or transparency in this project at all when Anna Bligh’s Labor Government:
• came up with the dam idea;
• designed the dam;
• would build the dam;
• drafted the dam’s environmental impact statement;
• devised the dam’s approval conditions;
• would monitor the dam’s conditions; and
• will investigate any breaches of the dam’s conditions.
“Anna Bligh is masquerading as Dracula in charge of the blood bank when it comes to protecting the environment and the Mary Valley from this dam. She will have all the credibility of Pinocchio when her dam conditions fail and the environment is ruined,” Mr Truss said.
“Mr Garrett must now give the public an opportunity to comment on the adequacy of Anna Bligh’s conditions.”
Ms Bligh has again savaged farmers in her statement, accusing them of degrading the catchment area. Now she plans to remove an additional 2000 hectares from production, in addition to the prime agricultural land that will be either flooded by the dam or covered in weeds when the dam is dry.
“Independent 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.
“I challenge Peter Garrett to reflect on his pre-Parliamentary career where he defended the environment and preached openness as a virtue, and apply the same standards now to the Traveston Crossing dam.
“Peter Garrett must not allow the Mary Valley and Great Sandy Strait to be sacrificed by the Bligh Labor Government.
“Peter Garrett must now stand up to Labor’s machine and stand up for the environment.”
