$35M CONSERVATION CENTRE TO PROTECT THE FUTURE OF SOME OF QUEENSLAND’S MOST VULNERABLE FRESHWATER SPECIES
Published Wednesday, 10 October, 2007 at 12:41 PM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
The Queensland Government today announced the provision of a $35 million Freshwater Species Conservation Centre to study and protect the Mary River Cod, Queensland Lungfish and the Mary River Turtle to ensure their on-going survival.
“These extraordinary creatures deserve our protection. The Conservation Centre is about ensuring we gather the knowledge necessary to ensure they don’t just survive, they thrive,” the Premier Anna Bligh said.
The new research and education centre is being proposed by Queensland Water Infrastructure (QWI) as part of the Traveston Crossing Dam Project. It will be built adjacent to the Bruce Highway on the eastern shores of the dam - upstream of the dam wall. The funding will be sourced from the $1.7 B Traveston Crossing Dam Project.
The Premier informed Parliament today that the Environmental Impact Statement for the Traveston Crossing Dam had been provided to the Coordinator-General to confirm it addresses the Terms of Reference.
If the Coordinator General finds the EIS meets the Terms of Reference it is likely the document will be released as early as next week. It will then be put out for public consultation for a six week period before the Coordinator General makes a decision on whether to provide it to the Federal Minister for the Environment. The Federal Minister is expected to make a decision on the dam early in 2008.
“There is no question that dams the size of Traveston Crossing Dam have the potential to have an impact on the environment,” the Premier said.
“The Queensland Lungfish, Mary River Cod and Mary River Turtle are special and deserve our protection.
“The Centre, the first of its kind in Australia, will be operated by the University of Queensland, and overseen by the CSIRO.
“Importantly three of the world’s leading scientists have agreed to be part of the Scientific Advisory Panel for the Centre – they are Professor Jean Joss, Professor Gordon Grigg and Dr Col Limpus.
“Professors Joss and Grigg have made their opposition to the construction of the dam clear, but they have agreed to oversee the work of the Centre which is a major step forward in the protection and recovery of the Mary River Cod, Queensland Lungfish and Mary River Turtle – populations already under stress.
“Importantly, Australia’s leading science agency, CSIRO, will monitor the research outcomes and performance,” the Premier said.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Paul Lucas said the Centre will is also proposed to provide world class research facilities for scientists.
“I have been advised that it will be equipped with breeding tanks, fish and turtle ponds, research laboratories and accommodation.
“Studies, such as breeding behaviour, habitat management, and ways to improve the Lungfish, Cod and Turtle overall well-being are also proposed.”
The $35 million Centre will include operational and research funding for the next 10 years, funding for approximately 14 staff, along with funding for the implementation of research findings.
It will also have a focus on education and awareness of the Lungfish, cod and turtle attracting visitors, students and scientists from Australia and overseas. This will provide an opportunity to show off Queensland’s Lungfish, a “living fossil” said to be more than 110 million years old.
Subject to the Commonwealth giving the dam final approval early next year, it is expected the first sod will be turned on the Queensland Freshwater Conservation in mid-2009.
Wednesday October 10, 2007
For more information: Premier’s Office – 3224 4500
“These extraordinary creatures deserve our protection. The Conservation Centre is about ensuring we gather the knowledge necessary to ensure they don’t just survive, they thrive,” the Premier Anna Bligh said.
The new research and education centre is being proposed by Queensland Water Infrastructure (QWI) as part of the Traveston Crossing Dam Project. It will be built adjacent to the Bruce Highway on the eastern shores of the dam - upstream of the dam wall. The funding will be sourced from the $1.7 B Traveston Crossing Dam Project.
The Premier informed Parliament today that the Environmental Impact Statement for the Traveston Crossing Dam had been provided to the Coordinator-General to confirm it addresses the Terms of Reference.
If the Coordinator General finds the EIS meets the Terms of Reference it is likely the document will be released as early as next week. It will then be put out for public consultation for a six week period before the Coordinator General makes a decision on whether to provide it to the Federal Minister for the Environment. The Federal Minister is expected to make a decision on the dam early in 2008.
“There is no question that dams the size of Traveston Crossing Dam have the potential to have an impact on the environment,” the Premier said.
“The Queensland Lungfish, Mary River Cod and Mary River Turtle are special and deserve our protection.
“The Centre, the first of its kind in Australia, will be operated by the University of Queensland, and overseen by the CSIRO.
“Importantly three of the world’s leading scientists have agreed to be part of the Scientific Advisory Panel for the Centre – they are Professor Jean Joss, Professor Gordon Grigg and Dr Col Limpus.
“Professors Joss and Grigg have made their opposition to the construction of the dam clear, but they have agreed to oversee the work of the Centre which is a major step forward in the protection and recovery of the Mary River Cod, Queensland Lungfish and Mary River Turtle – populations already under stress.
“Importantly, Australia’s leading science agency, CSIRO, will monitor the research outcomes and performance,” the Premier said.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Paul Lucas said the Centre will is also proposed to provide world class research facilities for scientists.
“I have been advised that it will be equipped with breeding tanks, fish and turtle ponds, research laboratories and accommodation.
“Studies, such as breeding behaviour, habitat management, and ways to improve the Lungfish, Cod and Turtle overall well-being are also proposed.”
The $35 million Centre will include operational and research funding for the next 10 years, funding for approximately 14 staff, along with funding for the implementation of research findings.
It will also have a focus on education and awareness of the Lungfish, cod and turtle attracting visitors, students and scientists from Australia and overseas. This will provide an opportunity to show off Queensland’s Lungfish, a “living fossil” said to be more than 110 million years old.
Subject to the Commonwealth giving the dam final approval early next year, it is expected the first sod will be turned on the Queensland Freshwater Conservation in mid-2009.
Wednesday October 10, 2007
For more information: Premier’s Office – 3224 4500