Dear Birding Aus-ers,
You may remember that Barnes Creek, Bassett Basin,which is a
declared Fish Habitat, and home to over 138 bird species was earmarked for
destruction for the East/West Connector Road.
Perseverance pays off. Due to continuing pressure from Mackay
Conservation Group, Mackay Bird Observers Club and Sunfish (plus all your
protest emails to the relevant Ministers) the mangrove wetland due to be
destroyed for the East/West Connector Road has been saved.
At the preliminary hearing of the Fisheries Tribunal in April
the Chairman handed down his decision in our favour, declaring that we had
Standing, therefore we could then proceed to a full hearing.
Dr. Norm Duke's findings on the dieback issue in Bassett Basin
as well as public opinion caused the State Government to pull out of their
decision to proceed with the road. Press release below:
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From the Office of The Minister for Transport and Minister for
Main Roads
Member for Cook
14th April 2000
Mackay’s East West Connector Road will not
proceed, Transport and Main Roads Minister Steve Bredhauer said
today.
Mr Bredhauer said the decision followed the
Fisheries Tribunal decision on the 7th of April that the appeal
against the granting of a Permit by the Department of Primary Industries would
proceed.
The Project potentially faced months of
uncertainty and protracted legal proceedings and the Government has therefore
decided not to proceed with the Project Mr Bredhauer said.
Mr Bredhauer said another factor was the failure
of the Mackay City Council to publicly commit to the project.
He said the East West connector was a vital link
in Council’s strategic plan. "I am disappointed with the lack of support from
the Mackay City Council for this vital link in Mackay’s transport network" Mr
Bredhauer said.
"We have listened to the Community but this is a
significant lost opportunity for Mackay residents" he said.
"The East West Connector was an important project
that would have addressed a number of traffic problems, including the safety of
school children and Pedestrians, relieving congestion and relieving trucks from
Malcolmson street and residential areas" he said.
He said "the East West Connector was also a key
flood mitigation measure for the north Mackay Community."
"The people of Mackay are still going to have to
deal with the traffic and safety impacts of continued population growth and
urban development in North Mackay" he said.
Mr Bredhauer said "Queensland Transport and the
Department of Main Roads would continue to work with the Mackay Community to
address transport issues in the Region".
He said the Beattie Government would honour
commitments to spend $100,000 towards the environmental management and
rehabilitation for the mangrove area around Sandfly creek and $50,000 for a
mangrove monitoring program conducted by the central Queensland
University.
The addition of the 2.7 hectare property at Vines
Creek to the Bassett Basin Fish Habitat has also been assured by the
Government.
The Main roads will work with the contractors to
find mutually acceptable agreement to discontinue the current work
contract.
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Amazing, they just cannot say they were wrong. The
piece about flood mitigation is incorrect as the money is available
for the River Trust to complete this flood levee which will now be located
directly behind the North Mackay business centre leaving the mangroves
intact.
We will be meeting Mr. Rod Welford on Monday 17th
April to present him with the facts on the die-back in Bassett Basin so we can
obtain Government action on this issue, and thus preserve this important bird
habitat. At the moment there is a deafening silence from all
authorities on this subject.
Thanks again to all the people who supported us to
save this habitat.
Maureen Cooper
Conservation Officer MacBoca.
