Environmental
Defenders Office Solicitor Jo Bragg Rathdowney
Visit
Rathdowney
community members were given a glimmer of hope of stopping the Dam on environmental grounds when Jo Bragg from the
Environmental
Defenders Office visited the town on Thursday morning.
Jo is an expert
in this field of federal environmental legislation relating to dams and has been instrumental in delaying, and maybe stopping,
the proposed Nathan dam on the Fitzroy River.
Jo started
off by saying the reason we have a water crisis is two fold. She said, "Firstly we have climate change as a result
of greenhouse
gases, and secondly we have massive population growth in South East Queensland". She pointed out that there are
other ways to provide water for South East Queensland without the
environmental
and social problems that dams cause.
If the Rathdowney
community could prove that the dam or its operation will cause significant environmental impact, then the Federal Government
may be able to step in. Jo pointed out that the
implications
need not necessarily be in the dam area, but could be the
fact that damming the Logan River
will cause environmental destruction to Moreton Bay.
Unfortunately
Jo's visit to the area was cut short when a Channel 10 helicopter
flew into town and next minute Premier Beattie was on the phone saying he was on his way for a visit.