GYMPIE — Two successive rallies bringing out a total of 3000 people have been held in the last fortnight in the Mary River Valley to oppose Queensland Labor Premier Peter Beattie’s $150 million proposed mega-dam. Up to 1000 residents are expected to be displaced by the dam.

Many residents and local councils are also concerned about an expected environmental disaster if the dam goes ahead. The Mary River is home to the rare and endangered lung fish which will almost certainly be lost if the river is dammed. The May 6 Courier Mail reported that in 2003 water minister Stephen Robertson declared that there was significant risk of increased salinity if the Mary were ever to be dammed.

The protesters are calling for more efficient water savings and recycling as an alternative to dams.

Jason Cahill

From Green Left Weekly, May 24, 2006.
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