Garrett's Traveston Decision - a life-line for The Williams River?

The Wilderness Society (Newcastle) Inc
Media Release
11 November 2009

The federal Minister for the Environment Peter Garrett has today made a clear statement that our fresh water ecosystems are crucially important for Australia with his call to reject the Traveston Crossing Dam.

"In his speech at lunch time today Minister Garrett said that he believed Australian fresh water species were under threat," said Sam East from the Wilderness Society. "This issue has been at the heart of our campaign to Protect the Williams River and stop the Tillegra Dam. Our fresh water ecosystems are more vulnerable than ever and must be given priority when it comes to conservation."

"We also concur with Minister Garrett's comment that the $1.6 billion Traveston dam would have devastating effects on the critical ecological processes of The Mary River - the same must be said for Tillegra and The Williams. An on-river dam the size of Sydney harbour will forever change the natural processes supporting a healthy Williams River," Sam East continued.

Minister Garrett also stated that his decision had taken into account the social and economic impacts that Traveston Dam would have.

"This is heartening given that Tillegra will have significant adverse impacts on both counts - there will be great economic impacts on the community from paying for a dam they are unlikely to ever need." (REF ISF)

Tillegra Dam, like Traveston, is being reviewed by Minister Garrett's office under the federal EPBC Act, however it won't be until next year that he will make his decision on Tillegra. There is still a state environmental assessment process to be followed which the NSW Department of Planning has suggested will take another four to five months to complete.

"In the mean time the Wilderness Society welcomes the Minister's decision on Traveston which ultimately protects The Mary River's unique ecology and shows a long awaited acknowledgement of the importance of nature."

Sam East finally added, "I further commend his statement that the Precautionary Principle of environmental management is key and I hope that this will be front of mind when the case of The Williams River and Tillegra Dam is before him."

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Keep the Williams River flowing! Stop the Tillegra Dam
The Williams River is one of the most diverse and intact aquatic ecosystems in the Hunter Valley. This will be damaged forever by the proposed Tillegra Dam, when there is only a one in a million year chance the water will ever be needed. We have until 13 November to get our submissions in against the proposal.

Read more:

Garrett applauded for dam good decision
Media Release - 11 November 2009
The Wilderness Society (Qld) today celebrated the protection of the Mary River and its endangered species following Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett’s decision to veto the controversial Traveston Dam in South-East Queensland.

Save the Williams River
Earlier this year The Wilderness Society Newcastle joined the Save the Williams River Coalition to campaign for the protection of the Williams River. According to a recent study “The Williams River has the most diverse and intact aquatic biotic communities in the Hunter Valley”.