Marine centre or museum for dam victims?

A $35 million marine conservation centre will be built as part of the Traveston Dam but conservationists fear it could become a glass tomb for extinct species.

An artist's impression of inside of the proposed Marine Conservation Centre to be built near the Traveston Crossing Dam at Gympie.

A $35 million marine conservation centre will be built as part of the $1.7 billion Traveston Crossing Dam but conservationists fear it could become a museum to extinct species.

Premier Anna Bligh acknowledged today that any dam of the scale of the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam had the potential to create impacts that must be addressed.

"Concern has been raised about the potential impact on the Queensland Lungfish, Mary River Turtle and Mary River Cod. These are extraordinary creatures already under stress with their populations in decline, and they deserve protection.

"The project proponent, Queensland Water Infrastructure, proposes extensive measures to address these concerns.

Ms Bligh announced a $35 million Freshwater Species Conservation Centre to be built near Gympie - adjacent to the Bruce Highway on the eastern shores of the dam - upstream of the dam wall. The funding will be sourced from the dam project.

"Its prime goal is to ensure the survival and improve the status of Lungfish, Mary River Cod and Mary River Turtle. This proposal is about learning more about these species and ensuring that they just don’t survive – they thrive.''

But general manager of the Sunshine Coast Environment Council, Ian Christesen, said the Premier had clearly acknowledged that the dam threatened the survival of several endangered species.

Mr Christesen said he suspected that the state government was responding to signals from Canberra that it would need to do more to win approval for the project.

"Is this an admission that the future of these species is in an aquarium or a laboratory, entombed in a glass structure where they are studied by researchers and viewed by tourists?" he asked.

"This announcement shows that there are some very serious issues about the long-term survival of these species and the are clutching at straws, trying to buy some credibility."

The Greens also condemned the announcement.

"Building a conservation centre for a species you are sending towards extinction is laughable,” said Greens lead Senate candidate for Queensland, Larissa Waters.

“Leaked studies by the Queensland government on the Burnett River’s Paradise Dam show that dams irrevocably destroy lungfish breeding habitat, and that lungfish aren’t successfully using the fish ladders to travel up and down the river.

“Traveston Dam would be the death knell for the 110 million year old Queensland lungfish, one of our iconic fish species.

Meanwhile, the environment impact statement for the controversial $1.7 billion Traveston Crossing Dam could be released as early as next week for public comment.

Ms Bligh told parliament that the EIS had been provided to the Coordinator-General to confirm it addresses the Terms of Reference.

"Subject to his confirmation that it does address the Terms of Reference the EIS will be publicly released as early as next week,'' Ms Bligh said.

"After six weeks of public consultation the Coordinator General will then consider the response. If he approves the EIS it will then be placed before the Federal Minister for the Environment early in 2008.

Ms Bligh also told Parliament the Conservation Centre will be run in partnership with the University of Queensland, and overseen by Australia’s leading science agency CSIRO.

The world’s leading experts in the research of this field will be involved to provide independent advice – they include Professor Jean Joss of Macquarie University; Professor Gordon Grigg of The University of Queensland and Dr Col Limpus of the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service have agreed to join the Centre’s Scientific Advisory Panel.

"Professors Joss and Grigg have made their opposition to the construction of the Traveston Crossing Dam clear. I have no doubt their opinions have not changed but I thank them for supporting the project which is intended to achieve just one thing – the protection and sustainability of three wonderful species. ''

"In April this year I visited Professor Joss’ research laboratory at Macquarie University in Sydney. I understand her passion and commitment to this extraordinary fish. The time I spent with Jean and her fish was a revelation.

"The facilities proposed for the new centre include breeding tanks, fish and turtle ponds, research laboratories and researcher’s accommodation.

"The centre is proposed to have 14 staff and provide an education and awareness focus for these species.

The centre will provide Queensland’s first opportunity to show off this ‘living fossil’ - said to be more than 110 million years old. It is expected to attract visitors, students and scientists from Australia and overseas.

The $35 million funding package includes resources for operational and research funding for the next 10 years, along with funding for implementation of research findings.

Subject to the Commonwealth giving the dam final approval it is expected that detailed planning of the centre will commence by mid next year - with the first sod being turned by mid-2009.

Originally published as Marine centre or museum for dam victims?