Traveston Crossing Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Traveston Crossing Dam (Proposed) |
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 Traveston Crossing Dam (Proposed)
Location in Queensland
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| Location | 16km South of Gympie, Queensland |
| Coordinates | 26°20′07″S 152°42′32″E / 26.3354°S 152.709°E |
| Type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | Australia |
| Water volume | 153,000 km3 (1.24×1011 acre⋅ft) |
The Traveston Crossing Dam was a big water project planned in Queensland, Australia. The government started planning it in 2006. This was because a long drought meant there wasn't enough rain for South-East Queensland's water supply. But the project was stopped in November 2009. The federal Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, did not approve it.
Contents
Why Was the Dam Planned?
The dam was meant to be built across the Mary River. It would have stretched about 160 kilometres (99 miles) north of Brisbane. The dam would have affected areas like Traveston Crossing, Bergins Pocket, and Kandanga.
This project would have also impacted major roads and railway lines. These included the North Coast Railway Line and the Bruce Highway.
Concerns About the Dam
Many people were worried about the dam. Local residents who lived in the area were against it. They were concerned about losing their homes and farms.
Impact on Animals and Plants
There was strong opposition from people around Australia and the world. They were worried about how the dam would affect many rare animals and plants living in the Mary River.
Some of these endangered species included:
- The Mary River cod
- The Mary River turtle
- The giant barred frog
- The Cascade tree frog
- The Coxen's fig parrot
Other vulnerable species that could have been harmed were:
- The Queensland lungfish
- The tusked frog
- The honey blue-eye fish
- The Richmond birdwing butterfly
- The Illidge's ant blue butterfly
There were also fears for the dugong, a globally vulnerable sea animal. People thought that less fresh water flowing into the Great Sandy Strait would harm the seagrass. Seagrass is the main food source for dugongs.
Mary River Turtle and Queensland Lungfish
The Mary River turtle and the Queensland lungfish got a lot of attention. The turtle only lives in the Mary River. It is special because it can breathe oxygen from water using its tail. It is one of the top 25 most endangered turtle species in the world.
The lungfish is also very important to scientists who study how animals change over time. It needs fast-flowing water, called rapids, to lay its eggs. Other dams in Queensland had already damaged many of its breeding spots.
A professor named Jean Joss said that the Mary River dam would likely make the lungfish "Critically Endangered." She believed it could even lead to its disappearance from the wild. The Mary River Cod, which only lives in the Mary River, is already Critically Endangered. It is illegal to fish for them.
Economic and Social Concerns
Some people thought the dam would create jobs and help with water supply. However, many local businesses in Gympie believed they would lose their jobs. Industries like dairy farming would be badly affected.
Farmers in the area would have lost their farms. They felt their land was some of the best for growing food in Australia. Fishermen in the Tin Can Bay area also worried. They relied on the river's flow into the Great Sandy Strait. They feared the dam would harm their industry and the environment.
Darryl Stewart, who led the Greater Mary Association, said the dam could cause a huge economic loss. He estimated it could be around $500 million each year for farming, fishing, and tourism. He also warned of serious social problems.
Importance of the Great Sandy Strait
The Mary River flows into the Great Sandy Strait. This area includes wetlands that are important around the world. They are recognized by the Ramsar Convention. The Strait is also near the Fraser Island World Heritage Area. Thousands of visitors come to this beautiful area every year.
Delays in Construction
Building the dam was put on hold for four years. This was because the Australian federal government had to approve it first.
In 2007, the federal government held a special investigation into the dam. In November 2008, the Federal Senate voted to stop the dam's construction. This vote was not legally binding, but it showed strong opposition.
Who Opposed the Dam?
Many different groups and people opposed the dam. These included local farmers, fishermen, environmental groups, and politicians.
John Sinclair from the Fraser Island Defenders Organisation said the dam would greatly reduce water flow. He believed this would harm the sensitive marine life in the estuary.
The Australian Conservation Foundation actively worked to protect species like the Mary River Turtle, Queensland Lungfish, and Mary River Cod.
The Gubbi Gubbi people, who are Aboriginal people, would have had their land affected. The Queensland government offered them over $1 million, but the Gubbi Gubbi people refused the offer.
Greens Senator Bob Brown said the dam should be stopped. He argued it would flood valuable farmland, Aboriginal heritage sites, and important breeding grounds for the lungfish.
Local politicians and environmentalists from the Sunshine Coast also called for the dam to be cancelled. They suggested that building desalination plants was a better option for water supply.
A report from the University of Technology, Sydney suggested the dam could release a lot of greenhouse gases. It stated that even desalination plants, which use a lot of energy, would produce fewer emissions.
A poll by the Australian Conservation Foundation showed that 85% of Brisbane residents wanted the government to look at other options instead of the dam.
An expert named Associate Professor Keith Walker said that the plans to protect the animals were not good enough. He also said that proposed fish and turtle ladders were unproven.
Environmental campaigner Steve Posselt protested the dam by kayaking over 861 kilometres (535 miles). He wanted to raise awareness about the dam's environmental impact. He noted that much of the dam would be shallow. This would lead to a lot of water evaporating. He also warned that rotting plants in the dam would produce methane. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas.
The Great Sandy Strait relies on the Mary River for its complex ecosystem. Fraser Island is the world's largest sand island. It is also very important to Aboriginal Australian history. The Great Sandy Strait is a beautiful area that attracts many tourists. It is also a key nesting site for birds that migrate from far away.
Cancellation of the Project
The construction of the dam was officially cancelled on 2 December 2009. This decision was made by Peter Garrett, who was the Minister for the Environment. He cancelled it because of the threat to "Listed Threatened species and communities."
