WALLACE: OPPOSITION'S RECKLESS POLICY THREATENS REEF

Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace today said that a proposal put forward by Opposition MP Rosemary Menkens could potentially have a damaging impact on the Great Barrier Reef.

“In the Townsville Bulletin on 21 January 2008 Burdekin MP Rosemary Menkens called for the Burdekin Falls Dam wall to be raised by nine meters – a proposal that has the potential to cause permanent damage to the Great Barrier Reef,” Mr Wallace said.

“While the Opposition spruik about how much they love Cairns – behind our backs they’re making reckless and uneducated claims that could potentially harm one of its most beautiful attractions,” Mr Wallace said.

“The Bligh Government is not going to let them do this.”

Minister Wallace said that the Queensland Government last year released the Burdekin Basin Water Resource Plan - a blueprint for providing water to the Burdekin Basin over the next ten years.

“The Water Resource Plan defines the pattern of river flows that are required to maintain the health of the Burdekin River and the Great Barrier Reef,” he said.

“The plan includes raising the wall of the Burdekin Falls Dam by two metres, potentially providing an additional 150,000 megalitres a year.

“The Bligh Government is planning for the future and before making any announcements we’re sitting down with the experts and speaking with the community so that we get it right.

“Fourteen panel members worked on the Plan. Experts in freshwater, estuarine and coastal aquatic ecosystems, geomorphology, environmental hydrology, hydraulic habitats, water quality, marine, aquatic and wetland ecology.

“The strategies outlined by these scientists strike a balance between sustainable water resource development and maintaining the ecological health of the Burdekin River system and the Great Barrier Reef.

“These scientists state that a larger raising of the dam could potentially have significant detrimental environmental consequences,” Mr Wallace said.

“Ms Menkin’s wants the dam wall raised by nine meters – contrary to advice from Queensland’s finest scientific minds.

“The Bligh Government won’t let the Opposition harm the Great Barrier Reef – the Bligh Government will protect it,” he said.

“A key initiative of the Bligh Government’s Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland is protecting our lifestyle and environment – and that includes Queensland’s natural wonder of the world – the Great Barrier Reef.”

Media contact: Clare Gillic, Minister Wallace’s office, 0404 133 242.