60 square kilometres up for grabs in the Mary Valley
There’s 60 square kilometres of prime Mary Valley farmland up for grabs, bought by the cash-strapped Bligh government for the Traveston Dam it’s been stopped from building. What’s to happen to all that land? That was the lead story in What’s Going On? on 2 December. Diet Simon and Mark Rodriquez also had interviews about the government pulling cash out of health care, leaving people in excruciating pain for years because they can’t get operations. Two women affected told their stories and a Noosa Hospital representative explained how their surgery funding has been cut. The programme also revisited the dispute over the Hilton Esplanade makeover in Tewantin and looked at a drop-in centre at Sunrise Beach for youngsters who might otherwise be at risk.
Diet suggested to anti-dam campaigners Glenda Pickersgill, Tanzi Smith and Ian Mackay that if he were the hard-up state government, he’d try to sell off the dam land as quickly as possible to get back the hundreds of millions of dollars that were spent on it.
(14 minutes, 48 seconds)
Mary River campaign recognised in environment awards
Some of the key campaigners who spearheaded the three and a half year battle to stop the proposed Traveston Crossing dam on the Mary River have been recognised in the prestigious Sunshine Coast Environment Awards. The Sunshine Coast Environment Council gave them three special awards.
The Save the Mary River Coordinating Group and the Greater Mary Association each received an award, as did photographer and graphic artist Arkin Mackay.
Accepting on behalf of Save the Mary President Glenda Pickersgill, fellow campaigner Ian Mackay paid tribute to the “whole of community” response that collectively fought to overturn the proposal.
Receiving the award of the Greater Mary Association, Vice President Tanzi Smith recognised the dedication of a whole different community downstream of the proposed dam site, from Tiaro to Hervey Bay. Her group had formed out of claims that the dam would have “minimal downstream impacts” and was instrumental in state Sustainability Minister Andrew McNamara losing his seat over the issue at the last state election.
Arkin Mackay’s acceptance speech was brief and humble as she pointed out that she was no good at writing submissions so she tried to make a contribution with her camera. Several camera forays around south-east Queensland’s dry dams and a four day kayak trip (with fellow photographer Chris van Wyk) through the area earmarked for the dam produced much valuable photographic material. In addition to this, the compilation of visual albums on her Stop Press website and the networking with a wide mailing list was vital to the campaign. A ten minute slideshow of Arkin’s work concluded the awards evening.
Arkin Mackay with her award
Elisabeth Berry on left with Tanzi Smith and their GMA award
Left to right: Ian Mackay, Elisabeth Berry, Tanzi Smith, Arkin Mackay and Phil Moran
Hilton Esplanade makeover
A dispute smoulders on about a makeover of a quiet little riverside street in Tewantin, Hilton Esplanade, just below the marina. Mark spoke with Councillor Russell Green and two residents.
(12 minutes, 10 seconds)
If you want to make submissions to Council on the pathway plans you can do so in person at the Tewantin council office in Pelican Street, or write to them at P.O. Box 141 Tewantin, or go to the website, www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au, where you can view the concept plan.
Drop-in centre for kids at risk
About two years ago a group of teenagers was running wild in a bush camp in Sunrise Beach. Since September a handful of people connected with the Sunrise Beach Uniting Church have been manning a drop-in centre on Friday evenings. One of them is Doug McConnell:
(5 minutes, 25 seconds)
Two Gympie women get knee surgery after long waits
Two Gympie women, Marilyn Mahon and Betty Perrett, have waited more than a year for knee replacement operations. Mark talked to them and John Crossley, the chairman of the Noosa Hospital Board of Advice, about the state government skimping on funding surgery.
(7 minutes, 15 seconds)
If you’d like to contact What’s Going On?, email Mark at markrzz@bigpond.com or leave a message with our front desk at ph 5447 2233, reception@noosacommunityrtadio.org.
well thought out and well executed. Congratulations to all concerned. A coup!