[Greens-Media] Senate inquiry evidence damns Clarence river dam

[Twomey, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

Senate inquiry evidence damns Clarence river dam

"Failing to calculate the real costs and failing to take climate change
into account blows the whole idea of damming the Clarence and other
northern rivers right out of the water," said Senator Rachel Siewert
today.

The Senate Rural and Regional Committee hearing into water supply
options for southeast Queensland heard yesterday that communities in
northern NSW were frustrated they had not been consulted about plans to
dam their rivers and pipe water north to meet growing demand across the
border.

"Given that this region has such high biodiversity values and there is
already evidence that some of these rivers are over-allocated and under
stress it is very clear that more dams are not the most sensible
option," said Senator Siewert.

A dam on the Clarence River would also have serious impacts on the
fisheries downstream and cost the local industry millions of dollars. 

"The SMEC study commissioned by Malcolm Turnbull did not take the
impacts of climate change into consideration, didn't talk to locals and
used meaningless rainfall figures."

"Once the true costs of piping and pumping water over huge distances are
put together with the loss of revenue from the regions industries this
is clearly the most expensive option to tackling that water crisis,"
said Senator Siewert.

"This clearly does not make any sense in economical, community or
environmental terms."

"The only conclusion we can draw is that this is a political stunt by
Malcolm Turnbull to try to embarrass Queensland," she said.

"The mighty Clarence is the lifeblood of the whole community up there.
Fishermen, farmers, greenies and tourists all love this river and what
it delivers," said NSW Upper House MP Ian Cohen.

"If Minister Turnbull tries to dam this river, conservationists, farmers
and professional fishermen will stand shoulder to shoulder with the rest
of the community in opposition to any dam. The whole community will
suffer if this goes ahead," said Mr Cohen.

On the lack of community consultation Ian Cohen said: "If Malcolm
Turnbull had taken the time to speak to his own people up north, he'd
have realised by now that there is huge, informed and very appropriate
opposition to this that cuts across party lines."

	           
For more information or comment call 

Senator Siewert - Chris Twomey on 0407 725 025

Email senator.siewert at aph.gov.au
http://www.rachelsiewert.org.au


Ian Cohen: 0409 989 466 or Nic Clyde: 0417 742 754

Tel: 02 9230 3305, Fax: 02 9230 2267
Web: www.iancohen.org.au