Rudd must make dam decision before he comes to the Fraser Coast
2nd November, 2009
There is only one announcement that the people will be listening for when Prime Minister Kevin Rudd visits the Fraser Coast, Federal Member for Wide Bay Warren Truss said today. “If Kevin Rudd wants a warm welcome on the Fraser Coast, he needs to announce that his Government will not allow the proposed Traveston Crossing dam to proceed,” Mr Truss said.
“It may be very important for Kevin Rudd to visit hospitals to see how local patients have suffered from a lack of services and long waiting lists for more than a decade under the State Labor Government, but he must also address the biggest environmental issue in our region.
“Only Kevin Rudd and Peter Garrett stand between the State Labor Government and their plans to flood the Mary Valley, destroy threatened and endangered species, devastate the Hervey Bay recreational and commercial fishing industry, and damage the RAMSAR listed Great Sandy Strait.”
The Federal Government has only until 18 November to make its decision on the dam under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999, but the Prime Minister can hardly come to Hervey Bay now without answering the question on everyone’s lips.
Under the Act, Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett is required to consult with the Prime Minister before the decision is made.
Mr Truss has written again to the Prime Minister last week in a further last minute attempt to outline the reasons why his Government should block the dam.
“According to the story that Mr Rudd recited endlessly during the last federal election, he spent his childhood years in Eumundi, so he should be very aware of the devastation that the dam would cause to Mary Valley communities.
“It would be cowardly of Mr Rudd to come to the Fraser Coast and enjoy our region’s hospitality, only to slink away and announce his Government’s decision from Canberra.”
“The Prime Minister has to be up front. If he is coming to the Fraser Coast he needs to tell us what his dam decision is.
“Mary River communities have done an excellent job in their fight to save the Mary River from this dam but the test is now for the Prime Minister. Has Kevin Rudd listened to our region or is he only tuned in to Anna Bligh? Will his decision be based on science or politics?
“There is only one environmentally sound decision for him to make, he must say NO dam.”
