Traveston Crossing Dam. I have made a submission in response to the Traveston Dam EIS and against the building of the dam. In view of the huge volume of data constituting the EIS, I have concentrated upon alternative water supplies that provide scope for at least an equal volume of the Traveston Dam (stages one and two) as well as that at present extracted from the North Stradbroke Island sand aquifer. Desalination provides unlimited guaranteed supplies, is as far as volume availability is concerned, climate independent and in the area of interest, is centrally placed to the huge growth areas of the Brisbane and Gold Coast and integrated development. To view my submission and the Lambert Plan for alternative water supply into the future (The Lambert Plan may take a minute to download) read more

Roads and Speed Limits.  In studying the annual Council budget allocations and expenditure, it is obvious that road expenditure, both maintenance and capital, are continually underspent in relation to beginning of the year allocations. This in spite of the fact that residents in the rural areas are continually complaining about road conditions and road safety and residents in the urban areas watch their road structure deteriorate. In the rural roads Traveston Residents Association has a file dominate in evidencing the concerns of poor road conditions and safety inadequacies. Dust from the rhyolite quarry material used on the roads is also considered by residents as deleterious to health. Through the Traveston Residents Association I have made submission to Cooloola Shire Council on the matter of making a Local Law in order that Council, if unable or unwilling to upgrade the roads to a safe condition to at least lower the speed limits, from 100kph to 80kph. It is unfortunate that residents have to argue the point on these matters with Council. We have however been able to convince them that the Tandur Traveston Road undulations required centrelining. Full marks to Main Roads for their upgrade of the Traveston Road - Bruce Highway intersection and lighting of same following request from the Traveston Residents Association  For speed submission, read more

Meadvale Landfill. The Meadvale Landfill originated from an application by Queensland Rail for a Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste land fill at the old quarry site alongside the rail line and the Six Mile Creek at Meadvale. The application, first refused by Council, underwent an appeal which was upheld in the Planning and Environment Court. Jeff and Judith Lambert represented the Traveston Residents Association as well as the local community and although the war was lost several battles were won in that the final conditioning of the operation incurred significantly more environmental conditions than originally contemplated by QR. The landfill lies upstream and unacceptably close to the Gympie town water supply.  For an interesting summary, read more

Traveston Housing Development. Development for urban building sites (50 to 60) on rural land, most of which lies on a flood plain was approved by Council one week and rescinded the next. In 2004 the Mayor, CR Venardos, declared a conflict of interest   in that the Developer had given him a donation of $4000 for (and assisted with) his     election campaign. It was also established that the Developer was an associate of Cr Nissen elected in 2004 for the division in which the development was proposed. Cr Nissen did not declare any conflict of interest. Several further and differing attempts were made at subdivision (up to 100 houses on one lot). Finally in an attempt to subdivide by way of alteration of boundaries the State Government took the matter to court with Council being named as respondent and the developer as corespondent. The Council received legal advice and in an ‘in committee’ meeting decided that they would not oppose the Governments legal actions against them and sought advice from the developer as to their further actions subject to what the State has declared wrongful approval.  The Traveston Residents Association, after a prolonged battle, hope that this is an end to a long, traumatic and in the government’s assessment, legally unwarranted struggle. For further information; read more

Waste Transfer Stations and Wheelie Bins. The wheelie bin is a service that rural people are highlighting as a service Council thrust upon them without any consultation whatsoever. The service will result in extra cost to the ratepayer and most consulted by Traveston Residents Association and the Cooloola Residents League are not in favour of the service for a variety of reasons. Further these rural Residents want the existing transfer stations permanently established and upgraded to accommodate recycling in a responsible and properly planned manner. For reasoning and justification, read more

Bruce Highway “Bypass”  Future planning and the protection of health appears to be non existent, or perhaps to some the desired proximity of the highway to Gympie business is paramount over the world recognised health problems increasingly attributed to highway particulate fallout. The bypass through the forestry at Beerburrum, Glass House area could be emulated here by the use of the Toolara Forest. In just about all cases the bypass of towns has not led to any detriment to the town business (It is still hard to find a parking spot in Nambour).  Keeping the trucks and through traffic out of the towns or the towns future growth areas, should, for health reasons alone, be a priority of highway planners. My submission on health and amenity grounds is too long to be posted here however a summary is listed for those interested, especially those living or destined through no decision of their own, but by that of others, to live within fallout zones of highway contaminates; read more 

Groundwater Protection. To many rural people ground water is like the air we breathe. A natural resource shared by all (if available) and respected as a common inheritance. Recently some Traveston residents raised the issue of what they claim as substantial ground water diminution caused by pumping excesses in the surrounding ground water aquifer. The purpose of the extensive pumping appears to be for a commercial potable water industry whereby Residents claim that test pumping has lowered the water table to the extent of discoloration, diminution of water levels and in instances loss of water altogether.

Complaints to Cooloola Council and the Department of Natural Resources and Water has led to nil action as both claim that they are powerless to act to prevent the operator from such activity. Through the Traveston Residents Association, I have put a submission to Council asking for the making of a local law to protect ground water supplies to residents and farmers; read more