Greetings,

There is just one thing that remains a curiosity to me about the
Traveston dam. It's likely that solutions to Brisbane's water supply
issues are now likely to be more energy intensive, with the bulk of
that energy continuing to be supplied by black coal fired power
generation.

However, I am yet to hear a convincing justification for prioritising
a couple of species over higher carbon emissions; when climate change
is a threat to far more species.

I am a big fan of Peter Garrett, and regular defender of his political
role. I am scratching my head over the 'green movement' on this issue,
though.

Regards

Stuart

2010/1/1 Tom <tomspencer@eml.cc>:

Happy New Year, Powdies.

Folks might be interested to read that Peter Garrett has knocked back a tourist resort for Great Keppel Island, as well as Traveston Dam, as the Environmental Defenders Office (Qld) notes in its Oct-Dec 2009 bulletin:

"1. Garrett rejects Great Keppel Island redevelopment
Community efforts were rewarded when, on 30 October 2009, Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett rejected the proposed tourist redevelopment of Great Keppel Island on the basis that the impacts of the project on matters of national environmental significance were "clearly unacceptable".

The proposal, declared "State Significant" under Queensland development laws, was to include: a 300 room hotel and day spa, 1700 resort villas, 300 resort apartments, a ferry terminal, retail village, golf course and sporting oval.  EDO congratulates the Capricorn Coast Conservation Council and Lot 21 Environment Group on their successful advocacy efforts.

2. Environment laws stop Traveston Dam
On 2 December 2009 federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett used his powers under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to formally refuse the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam.

Minister Garrett's approval was needed for the dam to be built, in addition to the state approval already granted by the Queensland government. EDO Qld had advised the Save the Mary River Coordinating Group on the approval process for the dam and on legal options to challenge any approval since it was first proposed in early 2006.

EDO's advice on court avenues proved unnecessary as Minister Garrett determined that the impacts on nationally protected species like the Australian lungfish, Mary River Turtle and Mary River Cod were unacceptable and could not be mitigated, despite the 1200 state conditions.

EDO congratulates the community members and supporting environment groups on one of the most effective community-based environmental campaigns in Australian history, and thanks Minister Garrett for using our federal environment laws to their full potential to protect the precious species of the Mary River."



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