City Beat Confidential: Turtle threat to gas miner’s plans

A threat to so-called “bum breathers” is being claimed by greenies aiming to stop a gas miner’s latest Queensland moves.

Are the so-called “bum breathers” facing a fresh threat to their ability to survive?

That’s the claim from Queensland greenies, who have sounded the alarm about a potential gas-related danger to the endangered white-throated snapping turtle and Fitzroy River turtle.

They fear that a plan lodged this month by Santos to allow for the dumping of untreated wastewater from coal seam gas wells into the Dawson River will harm the habitat for both critters, which remarkably do acquire oxygen via their backsides.

Platypus also inhabit the central Queensland waterway and tributaries about 50km east of Injune.

Santos CEO Kevin Gallagher

Santos, headed by Kevin Gallagher, maintains the possible release of the desalinated water will pose no harm to the animals or the wider environment.

But that reassurance has failed to placate activists with Lock the Gate Alliance.

“This proposal will allow polluted water high in salt and other contaminants, like boron, to be dumped directly into the Dawson River, in an area where the critically endangered white-throated snapping turtle is known to live,” spokesperson Ellie Smith said.

“The national recovery plan for the snapping turtle identifies declining water quality as a major threat and yet Santos is claiming there will not be a significant impact on the species or on this stretch of the Dawson River, which has recognised high conservation value.’’

The group has called on Federal Environment Minister Susan Ley to compel Santos to carry out an environmental impact statement on the project.

The Fitzroy River Turtle, otherwise known as the “bum-breathing turtle”

A Santos spin doctor told City Beat that the release of untreated water would only occur during “significant natural flow events’’ such as heavy rains or flooding.

He noted that the state had approved such actions in early 2017 and a referral has also been submitted to the Federal Government.

“The rate of water to be released is strictly limited by the natural rate of flow in the Dawson River. By limiting releases in this way, there will be no harm to turtles or the environment,’’ he said.

“This limit ensures there are negligible changes to water level and water quality and that all environmental outcomes are achieved. All releases will be strictly monitored.’’

But Ann Hobson, an operative with the state’s Wildlife Preservation Society, countered that plenty of unknowns remain.

“We know of no research into the downstream distribution or effects of the salts found in CSG ‘associated water’ when discharged into the river,’’ she said.

“It is foolhardy to increase the discharge of untreated water, even during a flood event, without this scientific information.”

GLAD TO HAVE A BLACK EYE

Steven Scanlan is sporting one heckuva black eye this week and he couldn’t be happier.

The boxing-mad Brisbane bizoid got the shiner after sparring in the ring with professional fighter Jarrod Fletcher, a former world middleweight title challenger and 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medallist.

It’s all part of his preparation for a black-tie charity boxing fundraiser to benefit the Starlight Children’s Foundation, where he serves on the board.

Steve Scanlan

Scanlan, a senior player at IT recruitment firm Technology People, is hoping to generate up to $250,000 from the event, which plays out July 30 at the Fortitude Music Hall.

More than 400 tickets have already been snapped up for the night, which will feature a series of bouts between well-established fighters, as well clashes between a few amateurs.

Fletcher is set to take on Dundee Kim, a trainer who formerly worked with ex-champ Jeff Horn and now advises rising star Tim Tszyu.

Fighters Dennis Hogan, Benjamin Hussain and Jack Bowen are also on the bill.

Several of Tszyu’s corporate backers, including Scanlan, Technology People boss Mike Roddy and law firm principal Dan Hannay, are set to pull on the gloves as well.

Horn and Tszyu are both expected to attend, although they won’t be fighting each other again or otherwise getting bloodied on the night.

Notably, among the items for auction, will be a $15,000 diamond and ruby ring that Scanlan gave Horn following his shock win over then-champ Manny Pacquiao at Suncorp Stadium in 2017.

LAWYER BANNED

It’s game over in the near term for Brisbane legal eagle Michael Kemp.

The now-bankrupt personal injury lawyer won’t be able to offer his services in this state for the next five years, after the Queensland Law Society stripped him of his practising certificate yesterday.

“The society considers Mr Kemp is no longer a fit and proper person,’’ a spokesman told us.

The long-expected move follows the ­collapse of his main company, which traded as Kemp Law and went down earlier this year owing $8.15 million.

One of his biggest creditors, lender LawFinance Ltd, then won court orders last month to personally bankrupt him over a $2.1 million debt.

Michael Kemp

The QLS had previously appointed receivers over Kemp Law, as well as its now-defunct successor Highland Law, and seized about 250 client files for distribution to other firms.

It also took control of the trust account holding client money in April and is now distributing those funds.

Kemp could not be reached for comment, and it’s unclear what’s next for a bloke who spent over 15 years in the city’s legal circles.

But the headaches aren’t over for Kemp, who once zipped around in a Lamborghini and has a family-controlled entity that still owns two luxury homes on Hope ­Island collectively worth over $2.5 million.

Glenn Franklin, the liquidator of Kemp Law Pty Ltd, told creditors in a report last month that he intends to recover about $335,000 that Kemp withdrew from the business in the eight months preceding its demise.

He alleged the company had likely traded while insolvent since last October, with its ­liabilities increasing by $2.7 million since then.