Traveston Protest, Parliament House,Qld. Credit: STMRCG.
By Rich Bowden
Environment groups have challenged the Queensland Infrastructure Minister with evidence that his own Government’s Water Commission had suggested a cheaper, more efficient method of drought- proofing South East Queensland than the contentious Traveston Crossing Dam.
The 2007 Queensland Water Commission study entitled report titled “Provision of Contingency Storage in Wivenhoe & Somerset Dams” was quoted by a coalition of groups as suggesting the existing Wivenhoe dam be raised by 2 metres, which would also contribute to the dam’s safety.
The report said this increased storage could be achieved at minimal cost.
“[The raising of the dam] provides a significant increase in storage, 228,000ML, for a relatively small capital cost (i.e. compared to a greenfield site) and could be achieved relatively simply,” said the 2007 study.
“SEQ can be climate proofed for a mere $ 10 million,” said Narelle McCarthy, Sunshine Coast Environment Council manager in a coalition news release. “We challenge [Qld Infrastructure Minister Stirling] Hinchliffe to explain why he is pursuing a multi-billion dollar option when the Government’s own Queensland Water Commission has identified a vastly cheaper option that provides much more water.”
“By pursuing Traveston instead of raising Wivenhoe, Hinchliffe is asking Queenslanders to pay sixty times more to get, at best, one third less water!” said Dave Kreutz from the Save the Mary River Coordinating Group. “He’s asking us to fork out for Rolls Royce and in return he’s going to give us a BMX with flat tyres.”
Environment Minister Peter Garrett. Cred: Mushroom and Rooster/flickr
“The cost savings of $2.5billion from not building Traveston Dam would put the Queensland budget back into surplus,” said Glenda Pickersgill from the Save the Mary River Coordinating Group. “Traveston Dam is not the cheapest and most secure way to provide water for the future growth of the SEQ region.”
The decision whether or not to continue with the controversial Traveston Crossing Dam rests with Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett, who has less than a month to respond to the proposal put forward by the Queensland Government.
Former Queensland Senator Andrew Bartlett has said the decision by the Environment Minister will be historic, whichever way it goes.
“This decision is a major test of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act,” said Mr Bartlett in a statement. The former Democrat Senator was a part of the Senate Committee which conducted an inquiry into the proposed dam in 2007.
“I’m particularly concerned about what an approval with conditions would mean given the evidence that has recently emerged regarding poor implementation of “mitigation” actions at Paradise Dam,” he continued.
“I don’t think there is much doubt that there is sufficient evidence for a decision by the Minister to stop the dam,” indicated Mr Bartlett. “However, the Act has not been used to directly stop many projects.”
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