Protests greet Goss mega-dam plans
By Bill Mason
BRISBANE — Protests have begun over plans announced by Premier Wayne Goss on April 19 for two huge dams in central Queensland. The dams, part of a major pre-election economic package, would flood large areas of prime farming land on the Comet and Dawson rivers, at a cost of some $475 million.
John Gall, chairperson of the local action group, LAND (Landholders Affected by Nathan Dam), said on April 19 there were options for a smaller dam than the giant Nathan dam proposed for the Dawson river. "We can provide water for a power station, and for irrigation without losing our valuable land resource", he said.
Another local farmer, Geoff Becker, said there was strong opposition across the community to the mega-dam proposal.
"The sensible development would be a series of smaller dams to provide water without destroying the environment. I'd say our place would not be viable when we lose our best land to a dam of the size proposed", Becker said.
Wildlife Preservation Society spokesperson Dr Kris Plowman said on April 20 that boggo-mosses, floating mounds of lush earth fed by underground springs, would be wiped out by the Nathan Dam. She said these mounds were home to unique floating vegetation and found only in the Dawson area.
"It is imperative that research into these phenomena be undertaken as a matter of urgency. The proposals to dam the Dawson and Comet rivers would mean the inundation of some very special habitats which are part of our natural history."
Plowman said many countries were moving away from the construction of large catchments due to the loss of fertile land, social dislocation and losses of water through evaporation.