Gympie ALP branch fights Traveston dam

2nd June 2006

GYMPIE branch of the Australian Labor Party is fighting against the Traveston Crossing dam proposal and will next weekend take the issue to the annual conference of Queensland branches, president Rae Gate said yesterday.

Ms Gate said the branch had opposed the dam since it was first mooted and has raised the issue by phone, email and letters with State Government Ministers and backbenchers.

The issue has also been taken up with Labor Senators in the Federal sphere since the dam was first announced, she said.

"The annual conference is on the June long weekend and all motions had to be in by Monday of last week. We sent through a motion to go to the state conference opposing the dam," she said.

"The Gympie branch and also some from the Sunshine Coast have sent through a motion opposing the construction of a dam at Traveston Crossing."

Ms Gate said both branches in the Gympie electorate ? Gympie and Mount Cooroora ? were opposed to the dam plans announced by Premier Peter Beattie in late April.

"We are concerned that one of the planks of the ALP policy that we 'thoroughly investigate all sustainable water measures before dam construction' is undertaken is being ignored," she said.

Ms Gate said if the motion did not get up at the state conference then other avenues of protest would be investigated. "In all conscience we couldn't do anything else but oppose this dam," she said.

The Maryborough ALP Branch has also opposed the dam plan and has written to the government and Premier Beattie voicing its opposition.