Dam claim a mistake, says McNamara

Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation Minister Andrew McNamara has apologised to Gympie Mayor Ron Dyne over incorrect information that was sent to the council regarding the Traveston Crossing Dam.

As part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s assessment of an application for expansion of the Gympie Regional Council sewage treatment plant, the council was asked to model for "zero flows of the Mary River as a result of the Traveston Dam".

"We are reviewing how this clearly incorrect data came to be included in the letter, but that doesn’t change the fact that it is clearly incorrect," Mr McNamara said.

"It goes against all rigorous scientific analysis of the Traveston Crossing Dam.

"It’s a mistake, pure and simple and that is as far as I will take it."

Mr McNamara said he had spoken to the Mayor today and offered to personally work more closely with him and the council on the sewage plant proposal. An amended request for information will be sent.

"What has been lost in all of this is the Government’s position that in the long term, councils should be working to find alternatives to putting treated effluent into river systems. That's what affects the people of Gympie and the people downstream, not a mistake made by a public servant."

He said the EIS showed the dam’s impact on flows at the mouth of the Mary River would be 3-4%.

The fact that almost 80% of the Mary River Catchment is downstream of the dam, with tributaries such as Tinana Creek, Amamoor Creek and Six Mile Creek flowing into the Mary River downstream, would ensure healthy flows.

More information: Scott Dixon 3336 8004 or 0439 761 416