Tweed Greens’ State candidate, Andrea Vickers, has dismissed Lismore MP Thomas George’s recent statements that the proposed Byrrill Creek Dam was supported by a majority of residents.
“As Mr Deputy Speaker has had the floor in recent media articles, it seems appropriate to offer some points in rebuttal,” Ms Vickers said.
“To claim the Labor Government ‘made a decision on a water sharing plan based on arguments put forward by one group’ is not true.
“The truth is that the draft water sharing plan already prohibited a dam at Byrrill Creek, and this was based on expert advice, not the views of locals. Tweed Council, with three councillors out of seven pushing for the dam, requested in the public comment period, that this prohibition be removed.
“The Save Byrrill Creek campaign, which drew broad support in Tweed and Kyogle shires, lobbied for it to be maintained. The government sided with the people.
“Many local community and environmental groups have made public statements or representations to Council on the issue.”
Seven thousand people signed the Save Byrrill Creek petition in just a few weeks, she said.
“The vast majority were local residents who don’t want this special area flooded so we can double the already rapid rate of development in Tweed Shire,” she added.
“This was not ‘one isolated group’ it was the voice of a significant proportion of the community.
“In stating ‘Certain groups simply used the environment to stop development’, Mr George showed he doesn’t understand that humans are actually part of the environment, and are dependent on healthy, natural systems for our own survival.”
