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Garrett Rejects Traveston dam

The Federal Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, today announced that he will not allow the Traveston Dam near Gympie in south-east Queensland to go ahead. Mr Garrett said that after considering the best scientific advice and other material he could not approve the project.

"It is clear to me that the Traveston Dam cannot go ahead without unacceptable impacts on matters of national environmental significance." said Mr Garrett

The Federal Water, Agriculture and Infrastructure Ministers and the Queensland Government now have 10 business days to comment before the ruling is ratified. However The Queensland Premier said that although she was deeply  disappointed by the decision, she would accept it and not appeal.

Both the Greens and the Liberal/national parties have expressed relief at the decision. Nationals Senator, Barnaby Joyce said that he had to give credit where it was due and congratulated Mr Garrett on his decision. The farmers and residents of the Mary valley can give a big sigh of relief he said. Senator Bob Brown of the Greens welcomed the decision.

In his decision Mr Garrett took into consideration the serious and   irreversible effects of the nationally listed species  such as the Australian lungfish, the Mary River turtle and the Mary River cod. Mr Garrett said that the area that would have been flooded by the dam is critical and rich habitat for these species.

Lead Queensland Senate candidate Larissa Waters said “This is a victory of science over politics. The challenge is now for Premier Bligh to invest in the alternative sustainable water supply solutions which the Greens and the Mary Valley community have been calling for for years."