Peter Garrett finally makes a good decision.

Peter Garrett has decided not to approve the building of the controversial Traveston Dam, near Gympie in Queensland,
citing scientific and environmental evidence.

"After considering the Traveston Dam proposal and the best available scientific evidence and other material... it is my intention to say no to the Traveston Dam," Mr Garrett said in Brisbane today.

"It is clear to me that the Traveston Dam cannot go ahead without unacceptable impacts on matters of national environmental significance."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/11/2739725.htm


He really had to say 'no' to something, somewhere, and he's finally done it.

Pity about Gunns ....

albeit with many conditions. I live approx 10km from what would have been the southern end of the dam; but not directly affected by it. I still remain a bit sceptical of the reasons he did not allow it in as much it has now given Anna Bligh an out of an extremely unpopular decision to dam the Mary.

Her reaction will be interesting to watch. She would have been spitting chips at the announcement; and has subsequently threatened to develop a large desalination plant off the coast of the Sunshine Coast. Yet she doesn't have the courage to put treated waste water back into the dams.

But the reactions of the people of the Mary Valley was one of overwhelming happiness.

I still consider Peter Garrett a sell out though.

Peace

He had to do something at some point, and he's chosen an issue that had
attracted widespread condemnation. Not too many people will really be
unhappy.

Gunns is another story - both the state and federal governments have
been less than honest with people and are defending the indefensible.
Of course, Tasmanian Labor isn't anything like Labor anywhere else,
and it's no surprise they're backing Gunns all the way.

For me, it is just too late for anything positive from him. He has been a total sellout since being voted in. Now, in order to win favor, he is going to have to do a bloody lot, and I don't think he is capable of that.