PREPARING A SUBMISSION
to the
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
for the
TRAVESTON CROSSING DAM PROJECT
On October 17 2007, Qld Water Infrastructure (QWIPL) released its Draft EIS for the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam Project.
This leaflet aims to help you keep the Draft EIS in true perspective (the government after all, was the only submitter IN FAVOUR of the dam in submissions made to the Senate Enquiry) and to assist you in preparing a "proper submission" to it.
When are submissions due?
Currently submissions are due by Monday December 3rd although there have been a number of requests for an extension.
WE CANNOT ASSUME THIS EXTENSION WILL BE GRANTED.
Isn't it futile making a submission to the state government?
No. Individuals, local councils, organizations and a range of experts at state, national and international level have highlighted problems with the proposal. It is vital that this continues. All submissions must be counted.
A brief submission counts just as much in this tally as a detailed one.
Is it a dead-end if my submission only goes to the Coordinator-Gen
Yes, quite possibly. There is no obligation for them to be forwarded on to the Federal Department of Environment. This is why WE STRONGLY SUGGEST YOU SEND A COPY of your submission to the federal environment department, explaining that you lack confidence in submitting only to the Coordinator-Gen
WE NEED AS MANY SUBMISSIONS AS POSSIBLE.
Do I need to read the entire Draft EIS in order to prepare a submission?
No. You only need to address any matter or matters raised in the draft EIS. Some possible issues you may write about are on the next page.
Where/ How can I read the draft EIS?
According to QWIPL print copies have been lodged in 20 locations including at the Tiaro, Maryborough and Hervey Bay Council buildings. A full list of inspection locations may be downloaded from http://www.qldw
Join the Greater Mary Association and support a response to the EIS that focusses on downstream effects of the dam:
Basic individual membership: $20 per year/$10 for pensioners
Corporate membership: $100 per year
To join or make a donation please contact Secretary and Vice Chair John Kingston on 07 41224144 or at jakingston@tpg.
We hope to hold information and submission writing days in the local area prior to the submission date of 3 December, 2007.
To register your interest in an information day please contact Tanzi Smith on 0405848375.
Details of these meetings will be placed on www.ourgreatsan
Further information about Traveston Crossing Dam and the EIS is also available at www.savethemary
"Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do little" Edmund Bourke
YOU MAY WISH TO ADDRESS ONE OR MORE OF THESE MATTERS (OR OTHERS IF YOU PREFER):
Downstream impacts - Lower Mary and Great Sandy Strait
- According to the Draft EIS there will be no significant downstream impacts because town water, irrigation allocations and water for the environment will be maintained. The 85% mean annual flow figure the Government refers to is misleading - it is greatly biased by big floods.
- The Draft EIS also provides a more accurate measure of flow which is called the median. Using these figures, the dam will reduce the monthly flow at Miva gauging station by between 11-28% (pg 6-42). This is water downstream communities and industries such as the sugar industry won't have. (50% of local sugar relies on irrigating from the Mary).
- Freshwater flows are abolutely essential for the health of the estuary of the Great Sandy Strait, commercial and recreational fishing and migratory birds which use the RAMSAR wetlands.
- The recreational fishing industry is worth about $140 million to Hervey Bay's economy and reduced fresh water flows will have a direct impact on this industry.
- Commercial fishers expect a major collapse in marine productivity (scallops, prawns, crabs and fish) if the dam goes ahead.
- The Draft EIS says there will be no social impacts downstream. If these reductions in flow will impact on you and your family in any way, this is very legitimate to mention.
The Mary River turtle
- It is found only between Kenilworth and Tiaro. Their biology and ecology requires much more study. It is known that fifteen of their current nesting banks will be flooded by the dam and it is uncertain whether they will effectively use fake nesting beaches. The impact of changed flood cycles and reduced sediment on downstream population is unknown.
- Similar species do not thrive in dams and the proposed turtle ramp at the dam wall is a "world first" with no guarantee of success
Lungfish
- Scientific consensus is that lungfish do not breed in dams, unless very specific vegetation requirements are met and the fish lift has not been proven to work. A research facility is not a substitute for lungfish habitat. They are classed as "vulnerabl
e" but the Federal Govt.
Many alternatives to a dam
- The Draft EIS Chapter 2 suggests the only alternatives to the dam are desalination, a series of small dams on the Mary River or transfer of water from the Clarence River system. They find that the Dam is the most economical option. However, the costings of desalination are based on the Tugun Desalination plant which has cost much more than the Kwinan plant (Perth) to supply similar volume.
- There are many other options that could be considered such as stormwater harvesting, more recycling and planning to increase efficiency.
- Independent research commissioned by the Mary River Council of Mayors found that the future of SEQ's water security does not depend on construction of this dam. It also found that with commitment and sound planning it is possible for the Qld Government to save more water than the dam provides, at one third the price.
Brisbane already has more water storage in dams per capita than any other capital city and it would become even more vulnerable to reduced rainfall in the future. A shift toward climate-indepen
dent sources such as desalination and recycling would increase security.
Aquatic weeds
- The dam offers favorable conditions for extensive growth of aquatic weeds like hyacinth, salvinia and cabomba. This is very expensive to control and effects downstream usage of the river. Aquatic weeds increase evaporation signficantly. This has not been taken into account in the draft EIS calculations.
Precautionary Principle
- International and Australian environmental legislation is founded on this principle. It states that when there is insufficient research or knowledge to fully understand the consequences of a development, the development should not proceed. The proposed dam violates this principle in several ways, particularly with respect to protecting species and ecosystems.
PLEASE SEND YOUR SUBMISSION TO THE FOLLOWING: (Click here to download submission form)
- Project Manager
SEQ Infrastructure (Water) - Traveston Crossing Dam
Department of Infrastructure and Planning
PO Box 15009 City East Qld 4002 - Minister for Environment and Water Resources
GPO Box 787,Canberra, ACT 2600
Please also include a note explaining that you are sending it as you lack confidence in only sending it to the State Coordinator-Gen
AND, IF YOUR SUBMISSION RELATES TO THREATENED SPECIES, you may also like to send a copy to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Again please attach an explanation.
3. IUCN Headquarters, Rue Mauverney 28, Gland 1196, Switzerland.
So that you make a "proper submission" PLEASE CHECK YOU HAVE:
- included your name and address on the submission itself
- signed your submission
- addressed one or more matters from the draft EIS
- sent the submission to the Coordinator-Gen
eral's address - sent a copy(ies) to the Federal Department of Environment and perhaps IUCN with explanations.