STMRCG 21 Oct 09 - Decsion on Traveston will make history

[tanzi]

** ***MEDIA RELEASE*** **
Wednesday October 21st, 2009

Decision on Traveston will make history

Political commentator and former Senator, Andrew Bartlett, has suggested that the impending decision on the proposed Traveston Crossing dam will make history.

“This decision is a major test of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act,” said Mr Bartlett who was instrumental in the development and promulgation of the EPBC Act a decade ago. He was also part of the Senate Committee that 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.

“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.”

The Queensland Government has claimed that the dam is needed for water security for South East Queensland. Campaigners have suggested that the 1200 conditions required by the Queensland Coordinator General instead offer 1200 risks to South East Queensland’s future water security and to the survival of numerous endangered species.

Mr Bartlett agrees with the campaigners, suggesting “If the Federal Minister basically condones the Queensland Government propoganda by approving the dam, then there is not much hope in relying on the EPBC Act to stop major threats to matters of national environmental significance.

“If Traveston is allowed to proceed, it would be fair to say that the public can no longer rely on this legislation to protect and conserve Australia’s biodiversity.”

“It is clear Minister Garrett is making a very big decision which will effect all of Australia,” said Glenda Pickersgill, president of the Save the Mary River Coordinating Group.

“We commend the Minister for his decision yesterday to not grant the Queensland Government’s request to vary the conditions on Paradise Dam. This has a direct relevance for the mitigation measures proposed by the Queensland Government and we call on Minister Garrett to delay his decision on Traveston until the Paradise Case has been heard.”

Ms Pickersgill said, “Minister Garrett and Primer Minister Rudd have a decision of major proportions on their hands. There are national ramifications for all future projects effecting matters of national environmental significance and international ramifications in terms of Australia’s obligations under the UN Convention on Biodiversity riding on this decision.”

Under the EPBC Act, Minister Garrett is required to consider seven matters of national environmental significance. Four are triggered by the proposed Traveston Crossing dam; endangered and vulnerable species, migratory species, wetlands of international significance and World Heritage areas.