River politicking

The Coalition has announced it would create a green army to protect and conserve the Mary River.

Chris Mccormack

A Coalition Federal Government would unleash a green army on the Mary River, ploughing in $125,000 to restore its banks.

But the Greens’ political wing has concerns about the level of commitment.

Save the Mary River Coordinating Group president Glenda Pickersgill welcomed any financial assistance to improve the condition of the Mary River and its catchment.

“Our focus now is on ensuring that work is done to help sustain the Mary Valley community and the Mary River to protect its endangered and threatened species,” Ms Pickersgill said.

In full election mode, Nationals leader and Wide Bay sitting member Warren Truss and Greens candidate Jim McDonald are in conflict over what constitutes proper protection of the Mary Valley.

“The green army will assist in the re-vegetation of stream banks at up to 25 sites near Traveston,” Mr Truss said this week.

“The project will be undertaken in partnership with local community groups and land owners.

“When Environment Minister Peter Garrett rejected the Bligh Labor Government’s proposed dam, he promised that the Commonwealth would provide a recovery package and help rehabilitate the Mary River.”

Mr Truss said Mr Garrett never delivered on his promise, and instead approved a pipeline that would allow 8000 megalitres of Mary River water to be piped to Brisbane every year.

“In contrast, the Coalition’s green army announcement demonstrates the Coalition’s commitment to supporting efforts to conserve the Mary River and protect its threatened and endangered species.”

Mr McDonald said he welcomed Mr Truss’s initiative to support the wonderful work done by the Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee.

But, it could be a matter of too little too late.

“As well as the ecological vandalism from the state government pipeline, the Mary River faces major threats from open-cut coal mining at Tiaro, the beautiful Munna Creek and Aldershot.

“Mr Truss has been silent on protecting the Mary River from the inevitable impacts on ground water and aquifers on the health of the Mary River.

“The proposed mines will also threaten the heritage of the internationally recognised Great Sandy wetlands at the mouth of the Mary River.”

Labor’s Wide Bay candidate Nikolee Ansell has been asked to comment on the Coalition promise.