Monday, December 17, 2007

Australian fishermen fear the impact of the Traveston dam on the regional fishery - Environmental Impact Statement is not complete

Trawlers group fears Traveston dam impact

The Independent Trawlers Association says it is concerned the proposed Traveston Crossing dam could damage the livelihoods of fishers by reducing the flow of fresh water into the ocean.

The Queensland Government plans to build the dam near Gympie, in the south-east, to supply water to south-east Queensland if it is approved by the federal Environment Minister.

A spokesman for the trawlers association, Joe McLeod, says a draft environmental report on the dam does not include enough information on the impact it might have on fishers off the Fraser Coast.

"That's what this latest work has pointed out, that there's massive holes in their understanding or their lack of understanding of dams and weirs on marine productivity," he said.

The chief executive officer of Queensland Water Infrastructure, Graeme Newton, says all interested parties are encouraged to make a submission about the dam's draft environmental impact statement.

Here is the full article.