Moderator Rev Dr David Pittman, Presbytery Minister Rev Ray Reddicliffe, Social Justice Advocate Heather den Houting, Beaudesert District Minister Rev Rob Packer, and journalist Mardi Lumsden from the Uniting Church and Father Bernie Taylor met with Rathdowney residents on Friday.

Rev Pittman spoke to the group and offered the commitment that the Uniting Church would continue to speak publicly about the callous treatment of the residents of Rathdowney.

When I spoke with Rev Pittman at the Brisbane rally he said that while the Uniting Church had a clear environmental policy he was more concerned about the treatment of the residents in the areas the two dams were proposed.

Even a cursory glance at the following statement from the Uniting Church sees the government as clearly operating outside what the church would consider acceptable.

In 1991, the National Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia adopted the document The Rights of Nature and the Rights of Future Generations which says that disturbances of nature require a justification.

"They are only permissible when the presuppositions of the disturbance are determined in a democratically legitimate process and with respect of the rights of nature; when the interests of the disturbance outweigh the interests of a complete protection of the rights of nature; and when the disturbance is not inordinate.

Rev Pittman reiterated that his concern was for the suffering of the people.  All of the visiting party took time to speak to the gathered residents.  There were a few tears, but for many the hurt cuts even deeper than that.  The very foundation of their lives has been fractured.

After morning tea, the party then travelled by bus around the dam area, with John “can I say” Robinson seamlessly switching roles to tour guide, ably supported by Scott “Scottie” Hunter.  We passed the dry Palen Creek, stopped and straddled the dismal Logan River, and proceeded to Bigriggen for a quick chat with Guy and Debbie McDonald whose 15 year plan has been put on hold.

We pointed out the many properties of local residents and told the various stories of those whose dreams have been shattered. 

Hardly more than 10klms from the buffer zone, we stopped at Maroon dam, for which the catchment is part of the proposed Rathdowney dam.  The visitors were shocked at how little water the dam contained, questioning even the claimed 20% of capacity.

Upon returning to Rathdowney, Heather spoke of her initial disbelief, when she heard how the dam announcement had unfolded.  She had thought surely there has been some consultation, some prior contact with the community.  Surely no government would be so cruel to let residents find out via a television crew.  Surely the local council would know something.

She spoke then of realising that the initial claims were true.

Rev Pittman urged residents to try to get out a message separating the government’s linking of the immediate water needs with the proposed dams.  The dams cannot provide any water in a short time frame so, a far more considered and appropriate investigation should be carried out.  Evidence of appropriate consideration of immediate water solutions such as recycling and rainwater tanks should be forthcoming from the government.

While promising the continuing support of the church from the local level through to support Australian wide, Rev Pittman concurred with Heather’s advice that the unity of the community is of prime importance.  We must look after each other like family.  We must strengthen the bonds, support, encourage and communicate.

After a reassuring hug and encouraging smile they were on their way.

Lyndie Easton