Carbon imprint claim denied
23 September 2008
Claims the Traveston Crossing Dam would have a carbon imprint higher than any comparable desalination plant have been disputed by the Queensland government.
The supplementary environmental impact statement (EIS) for the dam was tabled in state parliament last week by LNP environment spokesman David Gibson after he said it was sent to his Gympie office by a concerned public servant.
Mr Gibson said the government had tried to hide the “carbon costs” of the dam.
Infrastructure minister Paul Lucas disputed the claim, saying the report showed the dam was more carbon neutral than a desalination plant.
“The truth is that Traveston Crossing Dam is the best and cheapest option when compared to all possible and known desalination sites,” Mr Lucas said.
“When greenhouse emission costs, carbon costs and pumping costs for the two options are compared, this dam is the best option.
“Chapter 6, page 18 of the Supplementary EIS – tabled by Mr Gibson in parliament this week – shows the whole of life project costs for Traveston and desalination plants with the costs of energy included.
“This shows the cost of creating a desalination plant to produce the same amount of water delivered to Brisbane would be up to $807 million more expensive than building Traveston Dam.
“At a carbon offset price of $30 per tonne, Traveston Dam is at least $19 million per annum cheaper to operate than any viable desalination option north of Brisbane.”
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