Gympie gets up for protest | Gympie Politics | Local Politics in Gympie

ONE of four Get Up climate torches making their way across the country has made a quick changeover in Gympie enroute from Bundaberg to Brisbane.

The torch will now play a key role over the next few days as it is passed through hundreds of protestors lobbying the detrimental impact of the proposed Traveston Crossing dam.

A Mary River mermaid, sister of the river and a life-sized replica of the threatened lungfish species waited at Gympie's train station to collect the torch for their leg of the national relay.

Save the Mary River Co-ordinating Group member Anne Stephens said securing support from independent political pressure group Get Up meant their ongoing campaign against the dam had reached national status.

Ms Stephens said hundreds were expected for the weekend's strong protest events at Crystal Waters and Traveston Crossing Bridge.

"We're thrilled; we've lobbied Get Up for the last two years so for them to take on this issue we see as a sign it has grown to national significance," she said.

Get Up grassroots co-ordinator Sam Mclean said the anti-dam campaigners' people power combined with environmental concerns epitomised the aims of the organisation.

"We had to find local community groups doing amazing things about climate change," Mr Mclean said.

"The Save the Mary group immediately came to mind as a great example of what a community can achieve when they get together to take on climate change."

Get Up's role in the fight against the proposed Traveston Crossing dam will heighten awareness of the 400,000-tonne greenhouse gas impact that could stem from the project.

"Our organisation is about empowering Australia to take part in political processes," Mr Mclean said.

A human chain will wait at the proposed dam site tomorrow saturday as kayakers paddle down the Mary River to meet Greens leader Senator Bob Brown for the protest.