Traveston Dam Tests Our Environmental Process

摘要

Stand in the broad alluvial valley of the wending Mary River and it is hard to imagine its farm paddocks, gum trees and scattered homes submerged under five metres of water.rnBut the Queensland Government is ploughing ahead with plans to build the controversial $1.7 billion Traveston Crossing Dam across the Mary River near the small country town of Kadanga.rnDespite widespread doubts about its economic, environmental and community impact, the government claims the massive 660 000 megalitre two-stage dam is essential to solve the drinking water crisis facing Brisbane and Queensland's rapidly growing south-east region.rnQueensland's independent major projects and environmental regulator, Coordinator-General Colin Jensen, is set to advise the state government before Christmas if the dam, 27 kilometres south of Gympie, should be given the green light and, if so, under what conditions.