A Strong Brown God

A Strong Brown God

Book Review: A STRONG BROWN GOD .. the Mary River Diary Author: Steven Lang Some seventeen years ago, in conversation with man from the state government’s Water Resources Commission, I made reference to Steven Lang who had just walked the length of the Mary River, from its source in the hills to the west of Maleny, to its mouth, beyond … [Read more...]

Traveston Dam: looking behind the lens

“I'm absolutely besotted with my award,” said Arkin. “And I’m genuinely surprised to realise that what I thought was me just doing what I could for the campaign, has been really beneficial to quite a few people.” image: Jackie Smith.

It’s often said that a picture paints a thousand words. Photographs of faces of anguish after the initial announcement, beautiful natural scenes that were so close to being lost forever and finally faces of joy and relief after the simple word, ‘no’ echoed throughout the Mary Valley. Arkin Mackay’s images made the issue personal. They … [Read more...]

Smart water solutions needed after Traveston refusal

Watertank

“This is a victory of science over politics. The Greens and the community are thrilled with Minister Garrett’s decision,” said Queensland lead Senate candidate and environmental lawyer Larissa Waters. “Minister Garrett’s decision to apply the precautionary principle by refusing a dam with palpable risks to the environment is one which … [Read more...]

Garrett makes ‘proposed’ decision on Traveston dam

Is the Mary River now safe? Image: Arking Mackay stoppress.com.au

Dam opponents say the Federal Government has done the “right thing” on Traveston Crossing dam. The announcement of Peter Garrett’s “proposed decision” to can the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam has been welcomed by all those who have spent the last three and a half years examining the proposal and campaigning against it. Save the … [Read more...]

Traveston Dam: these will not be forgotten years

Kayaker and river campaigner Steve Posselt. Image stoppress.com.au

The former Midnight Oil front-man moved to his own unique, pulsating dance style while singing words a generation would remember. The emotions his songs could invoke were strong enough for me that while watching a live performance I decided there and then to pack my bags and return home after living in Europe for several years. Standing in ankle … [Read more...]

Dam opposition well and truly afloat

Several hundred canoeists and supporters turned out to show their energy for battle was undiminished. Image Arkin Mackay stoppress.com.au

For a community that Government sources claim is starting to accept a dam, Mary Valley residents and others were showing no sign of it when they took too the river to visibly signpost the three mark in their fight too stop the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam. Three years to the day since Peter Beattie’s shock announcement of plans to build … [Read more...]

Brownwater Classic celebrates its twentieth

In most cases, dam opposition has invaded every aspect of life in the Mary Valley - this poignant black bean pod boat is an entry in the Moy Pocket Brown Water Classic. The annual 'boat' race is enjoyed by children and adults from far afield. Image: Arking Mackay stoppress.com.au

Since 1988 the Brownwater Classic at Moy Pocket has lured both locals and those involved in the environment movement to a patch of riverine forest near Pickering Bridge on the Mary River. It’s been a celebration of the river, in particular the blackbean tree, for it is the seed pods of this tree that provide the raw material for the tiny craft … [Read more...]

A time for decency

Residents on the Sunshine Coast want a focus on sustainability not development. Image Greg Hardwick

What does the global economic crisis and the violent religious extremism, recently on display in Mumbai, have in common? People can so easily be led by the nose. And, become tied to one way of thinking, even if it is destructive and lacking in common human decency. Capitalism was hailed as the victor after Gorbachev brought perestroika to the … [Read more...]

Premier Delays Traveston

Dam opponents happy to see some hope. Image Arkin Mackay.

It was a surprise announcement, from left field, as they say. The Premier on the morning news stating that Traveston Dam may be delayed by “at least several years” and that water re-cycling was in doubt. The Courier Mail would call it “Gone to Water” while the Gympie times led with “Dam’s End is Bligh”. It seemed to show the first … [Read more...]

Reports damn Traveston

The Mary River. Image Arkin Mackay.

Professor Angela Arthington of the Australian Rivers Institute and Water Co-operative Research Centre has recently released an excellent and timely paper “Australian lungfish, Neoceratodus forsteri, threatened by a new dam”. The paper draws from a number of sources to provide an overview of lungfish distribution, biology and requirements as … [Read more...]