Chapter 7 - Committee comments
7.1
The committee undertook this inquiry, aware that its ability to affect
change and influence the management of water resources in Queensland is significantly
restricted. However, the committee recognises that an important outcome of the inquiry
process has been to give a voice to many people, organisations and communities
in South East Queensland affected by the proposals under consideration in this
inquiry.
7.2
The committee heard from many different people during this inquiry and would
like to thank those who took the time to prepare written submissions, attend
public hearings and speak to members of the committee during site inspections.
The fact that members of affected communities have been so forthcoming with
details of their personal situations is very much appreciated by all committee
members. The committee has, through this evidence, gained an insight into how
communities are feeling, and in particular, the impact the proposed dams have
had on community strength and spirit.
7.3
The Queensland Government has been very cooperative during the inquiry
process and has attended public hearings and provided substantial amounts of
information to the committee. The committee would like to express its
appreciation to each of the government agencies and authorities in Queensland who
contributed. The committee is also grateful for the opportunity to undertake a
site visit to the Traveston Crossing Dam site and the Borumba Dam site which
was organised by the Queensland Government.
7.4
The committee acknowledges the commitment of the Queensland Government
to develop and implement solutions to the State's water crisis. It is widely
predicted that South East Queensland will continue to experience a
significantly high rate of population growth. It is imperative that strategies
and initiatives are developed and implemented in the short, medium and long-term
to meet the water demand requirements of the region. The government's current water
supply strategies are diverse and include both demand management elements and
supply source initiatives. The committee would particularly like to acknowledge
the trend in urban water reduction levels indicating that Queensland residents
are actively committed to water management solutions and reducing their demands
on an already strained water supply.
7.5
Initiatives like the proposed transportation of water from the Northern
Rivers area of New South Wales to South East Queensland remains a state
government issue which can only be progressed with the cooperation of both
state governments. The Commonwealth has no role in progressing this proposal
and the committee notes that the NSW government did not contribute to the
desktop study. The evidence received during this inquiry clearly indicates that
there is significant work to be done on each of the options identified in the
desk-top study undertaken by SMEC. A detailed assessment of environmental,
social and other impacts must be undertaken before any of the options could be
given serious practical consideration.
7.6
The committee is concerned at the volume of evidence it received criticising
the Queensland Government's engagement with the community in relation to both
the Traveston Crossing Dam and the Wyaralong Dam projects. The committee notes
that members of the affected communities felt poorly prepared for the
announcement. This appears to be symptomatic of a politically expedient
decision made in a tense political environment and in the face of burgeoning
population growth and a reducing water supply. The committee received evidence
suggesting that members of affected communities may have been able to reconcile
themselves to this decision if the proposals had been supported from the outset
by detailed scientific analysis. The Queensland Government's belated attempts
to address this deficit appear to have done little to gain community support.
7.7
Significant concerns were raised about the lack of communication and information
provided to communities and stakeholders from the initial announcement of the
projects and through the early planning phases. It is clear that members of the
communities affected by these projects do not feel that they were adequately prepared
for the initial announcement or effectively included in the planning process. The
poor level of community engagement and consultation appears to have been exacerbated
by the fact that information, when sent out, was at times incorrect or
misleading, and led to much confusion, uncertainty and stress within the
community. The inability of the affected communities to access technical information
such as drilling and hydrological studies further compounded an already tense
situation.
7.8
However, the committee acknowledges that the Queensland Government has
implemented many strategies intended to resolve these issues and assist members
of the community to understand and engage with the process. Some of these
initiatives include: the One-Stop-Shops, the Community Futures Taskforce,
public meetings, newsletters and fact sheets. If these processes had been implemented
soon after the announcement, the expectations and anxiety levels of the
communities may have been better managed. The continued uncertainty and inability
to access information over a long period of time has created much tension and
anxiety in the affected communities.
7.9
The committee received a significant body of evidence expressing concern
about the environmental impacts of the dams, particularly in relation to a
number of threatened species. The Commonwealth Government does have a role to
play in the assessment and approval processes of 'controlled actions' under the
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The
proposed Traveston Crossing and Wyaralong Dams have been determined as 'controlled
actions', and as such will be subject to the approval of the Commonwealth Minister
for Environment and Water Resources. The approval process was discussed at
length during this inquiry. Evidence was received from members of the
community, indigenous representatives, the Commonwealth Department of Environment
and Water Resources, the Queensland Government, academics and other experts in
the field.
7.10
The committee notes with concern the evidence received relating to the
Paradise Dam and statements indicating that conditions placed on the approval
of this initiative by the Commonwealth Minister have not been met by the
Queensland Government. The committee is particularly concerned that mitigation
strategies for endangered species do not appear to have been effectively
implemented. The committee acknowledges that an audit of the approval
conditions for Paradise Dam is being undertaken. While it is unfortunate that the
results of this audit will not become available before this inquiry concludes,
the committee remains concerned about this issue and will seek a briefing on
the results of this audit when completed.
7.11
As stated previously, the committee is clearly aware of the limitations
it faces in respect of this inquiry. The committee notes that the approval
process for the Environmental Impact Statement through the Commonwealth Minister
for Environment and Water Resources will not be finalised for a number of
initiatives in South East Queensland before the conclusion of this inquiry. The
committee hopes that the Minister will allow relevant evidence gathered as part
of this inquiry to inform that approval process.
7.12
The committee makes the following recommendations:
Recommendation 1
7.13
The committee recommends that the Commonwealth Minister for Environment
and Water Resources, when exercising authority under the EPBC Act, considers
the evidence received on the potential environmental impact of the Traveston Dam
on the Mary River and the species of the river. The committee also recommends
that the Minister reviews the results of the audit on the Paradise Dam approval
conditions to mitigate any potential effect on threatened species.
Recommendation 2
7.14
The committee recommends that the Queensland Government continues to:
- instigate strategies that will inform, engage and consult with
members of the affected communities;
- ensure that businesses affected by the proposed dams are
adequately compensated and offered appropriate assistance; and
- where possible, facilitate the timely release of copies of
reports and information to members of the community to achieve a transparent
and open process.
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