[Greens-Media] Media release: Coke turning Springbrook into drybrook

[Vandeleur, Monique (Sen L. Waters)]

Senator Larissa Waters
Senator for Queensland

Media release

Wednesday, 12 March 2014

Coke turning Springbrook into drybrook

The Australian Greens are alarmed by reports today that Coca-Cola Amatil is continuing to extract thousands of litres of groundwater which is draining water from the creeks, streams and waterfalls of Springbrook National Park.

"This is a precious World Heritage Area and big business is reportedly being allowed to suck it dry for private profit," Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens environment spokesperson, said.

"We welcome the investigation by Gold Coast City Council into whether Coke is complying with its water extraction conditions.

"If the existing Council conditions can't protect the waters of Springbrook they are utterly insufficient, and should be strengthened so that Coke can't continue to suck dry the water resources which feed this World Heritage Area.

"With Campbell Newman allowing logging in forests surrounding the Springbrook World Heritage Area, which were set to become national parks, this precious Queensland icon is at great risk.

"Our national parks and World Heritage Areas are there for nature and for all Queenslanders to enjoy into the future, not to be destroyed for the private mega-profits of a foreign multinational," Senator Waters said.

Contact - Monique Vandeleur 0419 626 725