Mary River myths busted
October 06, 2008
By Averyll Loft
Myths about the Mary River were passionately extinguished yesterday by environmental experts at the Hervey Bay Boat Club.
The River, the Bay and the Strait was aimed at getting discussion and debate flowing throughout the Fraser Coast community about the proposed Traveston Crossing dam.
Scientist Steve Burgess dismissed several myths which suggested the Mary River had plenty of flow and would not be significantly impacted by the proposed $2 billion dam.
"The government completely misses the point when it comes to what the dam would mean for the river downstream," he said.
"The Mary already suffers from low flows and runs into severe ecological problems.
"In dry times most of the land area downstream of the dam site actually takes more water from the river that what it puts back in. Damming the south east corner of the catchment would be catastrophic."
Mr Burgess, an expert in agricultural modelling systems, told the 80-strong gathering of anti-dam campaigners the appearance of the Mary River could drastically change if the dam went ahead.
He showed images of an 18km stretch of river in the Mary River catchment clogged bank to bank with thick weeds.
"I don't think anyone can argue the Mary already has problems. There's no doubt the dam will make it much worse."
The forum also heard from experts on the impact the dam could have on the migratory birds, seagrass, dugongs and vulnerable fish and turtle species which depended on the Great Sandy Strait and Mary River to thrive.
Guest speakers urged Fraser Coast residents to take their concerns about the proposed dam to local governments.
Australia's reputation hangs on fish's survival: expert
Tony Moore | October 6, 2008 - 2:47PM
One of the world's leading fish ecologist says Australia's decision to let the Traveston Crossing Dam proceed would "significantly diminish" Australia's conservation reputation due to the threat it poses to an already endangered species.
US fish expert Professor Gene Helfman, of the Institute of Ecology at the University of Georgia, described the Australian lungfish as a "flagship species" in a new study by Griffith University researcher Professor Angela Arthington, which looks at the impacts of the dam on the sensitive animal.
The lungfish is listed as vulnerable under the Commonwealth Government's biodiversity legislation.
This same legislation requires federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett to decide whether or not to approve the Traveston Crossing Dam project, with a decision expected before Christmas.
Mr Helfman said the Australian lungfish deserved to be protected.
"The Australian lungfish serves as a flagship species with high international visibility" Professor Helfman said.
"Australia's standing in respect to to biodiversity conservation will be significantly diminished if this species is further threatened by more impoundments.
"In an area when dams are being decommissioned throughout the developed world, more thoughtful alternatives to Australia's water needs seem appropriate."
Professor Arthington's study, which was published last month, questions whether the shallow Traveston Crossing Dam will prevent the Mary River's lungfish from spawning.
"(The) main channel spawning habitats along the Mary River will be inundated upstream from the Traveston Crossing Dam and into tributaries," Professor Arthington said.
"Shallow, inundated embayments with or without aquatic and riparian vegetation, little water movement and large expanses of open water may present very limited options for lungfish spawning."
Professor Arthington's report also shows a specialised "fish lift", built as part of the Burnett Dam to allow the lungfish to move upstream past the dam wall, was not working effectively and is also the subject of a recent audit by the Federal Environment.
"The (Burnett Dam) is only partially compliant with the Commonwealth requirements under the EPBC (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation ) Act (and) the failure to comply (is) related to the poor performance of the fish transfer device which has operated infrequently since it was commissioned."
Greens leader Bob Brown, in Brisbane this afternoon, said the report had been sent to both Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and to federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett.
He said the report clearly showed the dam would have a significant impact on the nurseries of the Australian lungfish.
"It threatens the very thing that any species needs most and that is the nurseries where the regeneration takes place," Senator Brown said.
"This is a very long living and slow-regenerating species and the Mary River is its stronghold.
"And under federal law, when you have vulnerable species - a species that is listed nationally as vulnerable to extinction - you must have a recovery plan.
"And what Professor Arthington is pointing out is that a recovery plan cannot allow the nurseries of threatened species to be destroyed.
"Obviously, that is ridiculous."
He said he would move a motion in the Senate next week to have the Traveston Dam rejected due to the mounting evidence demonstrating its threat to an endangered species.
The Queensland government last year announced plans for a $35 million Freshwater Species Conservation Centre would be built at the Traveston Dam in an effort to protect the area's three endangerd species: the Mary River cod, the Australian lungfish and the Mary River turtle
