-Well folks, just when we thought we had won the
battle and saved the mangroves the Government is trying to do the dirty on
us. Why should this surprise me.
DPI have refused to revoke the permit to destroy
the mangroves for the road until 2002. This means that after the election
next year they will once again push for the start of the road. Henry
Palaszczuk M.L.A., Minister for Primary Industries and Rural Communities assured
the Mackay Conservation Group that Barnes Creek would be returned to Fish
Habitat Reserve status once the road was cancelled. Ha Ha. He now
denies this.
As for the mangrove dieback, all the politicians
are saying that there is no proof that the dieback is caused by the sewage and
that it is probably natural and nothing can be done about it. It is very
strange that none of these people will go into Bassett Basin with us to see
where the sewage has created a dead landscape at its outflow point. They
are also totally disregarding Dr. Norm Duke's research into this matter.
The dieback has accelerated and possibly 20% of our mangroves are dead.
This is a great loss of bird habitat as well as a loss to the whole
ecosystem.
If any of you still have the strength to push
buttons could you please lodge your objections with our Premier, Mr. Peter
Beattie as well as our Minister for the Environment, Mr. Rod Welford.
It looks like we will still have to go to the
Fisheries Tribunal for the final onslaught.
The Premier, Mr. Peter Beattie - the
Mr. Rod Welford, Minister for the Environment -
environment&
- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Sent: Saturday, April 15, 2000 3:52
AM
Subject: 'EAST-WEST CONNECTOR ROAD
SCRAPPED!!!
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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