12:00p.m. 27th August 2008

| AAP

A massive timber plantation proposed on the banks of the planned Traveston Crossing dam will not adequately offset carbon emissions and will only disrupt more landholders, says a group opposed to the dam.

The $1.7 billion dam has been proposed on the Mary River near Gympie and has faced strong opposition from the local community.

The Queensland government yesterday announced a timber plantation would offset the dam’s carbon footprint and provide economic benefits to the community.

Save the Mary River spokeswoman Tanzi Smith said the 2,000ha plantation was a token environmental initiative.

“Is offsetting in this way really a valid response to up to 140,000 tonnes during construction and another 400,000 tonnes a year of avoidable greenhouse gas emissions, when alternatives have been identified which would reduce emissions by about 800,000 tonnes each year?” Ms Smith said.

“It will also cause further disruption to the community because to meet this target they will either need to buy more land or get remaining landholders to convert their properties to forestry.”

Deputy Premier Paul Lucas told state parliament yesterday the trees would more than offset the dam’s carbon emissions.