Interview: Kaili Parker-Price By Christoph In most cases building a dam is a man made attempt to interfere in Mother Nature and the natural way of life. A certain area will be either flooded or dried out. The consequences are for both, man and nature, wasteful. Take the Three Gorges Dam in China for example. This dam is the largest dam in the world and it has been the most controversial one to date. Over a million people were displaced. Now in Queensland, Australia the Mary River will be “embellished” with one of those concrete blocks. V-Generations talked with Kaili Parker-Price form the Save the Mary River Coordinating Group. A group who fights against this abuse. V: Who are the people behind the Save the Mary campaign and how many joined it so far? Parker-Price: The Save the Mary River Coordinating Group is composed of residents of the Mary Valley severely impacted by this flawed proposal to dam the Mary River. Executive is Kevin Ingersole, Alan Sheridan and David Kreutz. We have many experts in all fields – LGA, science, environment, legal, uni – supporting us, as well as the councils which border the Mary River from the Conondales all the way to Hervey Bay – representing some 500,000 people. V: When did you start the campaign? Parker-Price: Immediately after the announcement on April 27, 2006. V: What is the current situation like? Parker-Price: We are in pre-election mode as Premier Beattie could call a snap poll this week. We have just succeeded in getting the Mary River Council of Mayors representing nine councils to commit to commissioning an independent study of alternative long-term water supply options for the region (cost $125,000). V: What impact does the dam have on local citizens? Parker-Price: Inundates 7600 hectares of prime agricultural land; displaces owners of some 900 properties (at least – final boundaries of dam are yet to be announced); floods major access roads and power infrastructure to the Mary Valley, including portions of the Bruce Highway; shatters local community; social impacts – stress, loss of dreams, loss of livelihood, financial ruin (business); environmental impacts – destroys habitat for endangered Mary River Cod and Mary River Turtle as well as threatened Queensland Lungfish, impacts of the Great Sandy Straits Ramsar wetland, ruins river flows. © 2006 Kevin Coppalotti V: What will happen to people who have to leave the area? Parker-Price: They are faced with the impossible task of trying to replace what they have lost at inflated prices elsewhere. Many are so disheartened by the Government’s treatment they will not return to the Mary Valley, and many who may have once voted Labor will never do so again. This has been a travesty of human rights – no consultation or consideration of the ripple effects of this proposal. V: I am sure there are many people who are losing either money or property. What was the most tragic story you have heard? Parker-Price: You cannot possibly answer this. Is it the couple who chose the Mary Valley after travelling around Australia to build their dream home, have just finished it and find they will go under water? Is it the dairy farmer who just finished his $1 million new rotary dairy to have it flooded? Is it the high-achieving secondary school student who’s marks are failing because she and her family are so stressed? Is it the fourth generation farmer who knows nothing else and will see his family’s property disappear under the rising waters? Is it the real estate agent whose area is “the Mary Valley” and who is about to see it all flooded? V: Do you get any support by NGOs like Greenpeace? If not, are you planning a co-operation? Parker-Price: We have a list (still growing) of groups supporting us. V: You have organised many meetings and rallies.  What is the average number of participants and supporters? Parker-Price: Our rallies have attracted up to 3000 people at short notice. V: Your situation reminds me of the Three Gorges Dam in China? Would you say it is a similar incident? Parker-Price: That the Government can impose this upon a district with no public announcement of the scientific and cost-benefit analyses behind it defies belief. Possible relocation of two valley towns is on the cards – the people don’t appear matter. V: The announcement of building this dam came without warning or the possibility of any determination. Do you feel cheated or betrayed by your government? Parker-Price: Absolutely. © 2006 Kevin Coppalotti V: Is this move unusual or usual for Premier Peter Beattie? Parker-Price: He seems increasingly bent on irrational and snap decision-making in the past few months. This dam proposal is just another failed initiative on top of health, energy and education. V: Is your Premier a beloved person/politician in Queensland? Parker-Price: Not in the Mary Valley. He was considered an astute politician, but we have yet to see that side of him. V: What do you think are the true reasons for building this dam? Parker-Price: Political expediency – to be seen to be solving the South-East Queensland water crisis … but this dam does not come on line until 2011. SEQ runs out in 2008. V: The dam seems to be exceptionally big. Is the size appropriate for this environment? Parker-Price: No. Our research indicates it is a wide shallow dam with major seepage, evaporation and sedimentation issues. It is also unsustainably situated mid-stream of the Mary River on alluvial flats. V: Dams are a controversial topic. Some say they are useful, others think they are outdated. In your opinion, do dams work or not? Can you think of an alternative, provided there is one? Parker-Price: Take your pick off the Internet of the sites damming the dam-building philosophy – you will see how many are being decommissioned. Look at the World Dams Commission site for example. Mega-dams don’t work. Recycling, desalination, taking advantage of the “urban dams” using rainwater tanks, and education as to the careful use of this precious resource are all feasible alternatives. V: Are there people who support the building of a dam? Maybe it is just a typical old versus new - tradition versus modernity - battle? Parker-Price: Some schools of thought believe well-researched dams in suitable sites do work and parties such as the Queensland Nationals support this. This is about more than “old v new”. We need to get smart as a State and as a Nation and take on a holistic strategy that affects everyone. Other Nations have done so. © 2006 Kevin Coppalotti V: What are you planning for the future? Parker-Price: A major legal, scientific and cost-benefit challenge to the proposal. V: How long do you expect this campaign to last? Can you think of a situation which could lead to your resignation? Parker-Price: This campaign will continue until the Traveston Crossing Dam is off the agenda forever. The group will have done its work when that is achieved. If Premier Beattie should lose this election we will be well on our way to achieving this.

 

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