http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/queensland/brown-leads-traveston-dam-protest/2008/09/06/1220121583402.html

Brown leads Traveston Dam protest

Greens leader Bob Brown today led a rally calling for the federal government to block the controversial proposed Traveston Dam across the Mary River in southeast Queensland.

The day after federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett decided to block Waratah Coal's $5.3 billion coal loading project in Queensland's Shoalwater Bay Senator Brown called on him to also say "No" to the Traveston Dam proposal.

Senator Brown said the dam should be opposed because it would flood thousands of hectares of prime food producing land near Brisbane, Aboriginal heritage sites and the main nursery for the world famous Australian Lungfish.

"I've told the minister there is no way he should allow the major breeding ground for the Australian Lungfish or the Mary River Turtle, or Mary River Cod, to be obliterated," Senator Brown said.

Hundreds of farmers and local residents gathered at the proposed $2.5 billion dam site near Gympie, about 160km north of Brisbane, to protest against the proposal.

The Queensland government believes the dam is a key component of a water grid to drought-proof the state's southeast corner.

Senator Brown kayaked on the Mary with kayaker and environmentalist Steve Posselt, who earlier this year paddled the river length to raise awareness of the environmental dangers associated with the dam.

"By any measure, the decision to construct the Traveston Crossing Dam is flawed," Mr Posselt said.

"There are far better means of supplying water for Brisbane and these options must be explored."