12:00a.m. 30th August 2008

| By Bill Hoffman

Protesters against the proposed Traveston Dam have demanded to see the state government’s supplementary environmental impact statement on the project before it is sent to the federal government.

The EIS was released to state government departments on Wednesday.

Save the Mary River Coordinating Group President Kevin Ingersole said the thousands of people who provided comment on the original EIS in January would not be given an opportunity to view the supplementary EIS document.

"The Premier released the original EIS in October 2007 stating that ‘after almost a year of studies, research, modelling and consultation, this 1600-page EIS delivers a scientific investigation of the project. I encourage anybody with a genuine interest to read the EIS and come to an informed decision based on fact and fact alone’,’’ Mr Ingersole said.

He said the Save The Mary River Coordinating Group had assembled a fine scientific community which had worked tirelessly for the past two years trying to bring disciplined and informed analysis of the adverse impacts that would result from the damming of the Mary River

"Following substantial public comment on the original EIS, the proponent was required to go back and do more work to prepare a suitable submission and seven months later the final document has now emerged,’’ Mr Ingersole said.

"We are dismayed that they have not been provided us the same opportunity to comment on the supplementary EIS as they do members of our bureaucracy."

He said Ms Bligh was on the record as saying that the EIS process would be robust and would address all issues raised in submissions.

"On that basis we ask that she now intervene in the process and immediately release the new document for further public scrutiny before sending it on to Canberra" Mr. Ingersole said.

The STMRCG has written to both state and federal governments asking for an opportunity to comment on the revised EIS before the federal environment minister makes a decision on the proposal.

Deputy premier and infrastructure planning minister Paul Lucas said the supplementary EIS was an open, transparent and independent process being run by the coordinator-general with which he would not interfere.

He said the proposed Traveston Crossing dam was being undertaken in accordance with State Development Public Works Organisation Act 1971 and the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. “The Traveston Crossing Dam EIS was open for public comment for 84 days, which is three times the required statutory period of 28 days,’’ Mr Lucas said.

“The purpose of the Supplementary Report is to provide the coordinator general with more information on issues raised during the public consultation phase. The legislation does not require further public consultation.’’

Mr Lucas said the coordinator-general was seeking feedback from government agencies and councils, which he would consider before publicly releasing both the Supplementary Report and his Assessment Report on the EIS.

“People have been commenting on environmental issues surrounding the proposed dam for some time and I suspect they will continue to do so,’’ he said.

“After the reports are publicly released, all of the material will be provided to the federal minister for assessment under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act."

Meanwhile Sunshine Coast mayor Bob Abbot believes campaigners fighting to stop the Traveston Dam proposed for the Mary River by the state government have done themselves proud.

Mr Abbot said he was not giving up hope that the project would be blocked by the federal government.

He said the Save The Mary River Coordinating Group couldn’t have fought a better campaign.

“Their campaign has been absolutely wonderful. They can hold their heads up high,’’ Mr Abbot said.

“Their commitment has never waned. They’ve got stronger, smarter and sharper.

“I’m not giving up hope that they will be successful.’’