Justine Elliot (Richmond, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to table a petition from over 800 people within my electorate. That petition relates to their concerns about water from northern New South Wales going to Queensland. They object to this happening and particularly to our water going over the border to the very overdeveloped Gold Coast. We have seen rapid development over the border on the Gold Coast and now they are looking at plans to take water from northern New South Wales. The more than 800 people who have signed this petition, and the many other people who have signed similar petitions in the past, object to that. They and I particularly object to the Howard government’s plan to build a dam just outside the small village of Talgum, which is just outside of a town called Murwillumbah. They have grave concerns, firstly about the general issue of the water going over the border and, secondly, about the building of this dam, which will destroy the village of Talgum.

Andrew Laming (Bowman, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Who cares about borders? It is a water crisis.

Justine Elliot (Richmond, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

They certainly care in Talgum about what the impact on their village will be. They are also very concerned about the sustainability of our rivers and our water resources. It is disappointing that the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources has not taken up the invitation from me and many community members to come to Talgum and speak with the locals about their concerns about his dam plan. I am totally opposed to the Howard government’s plan to build this dam in the middle of the Richmond electorate, outside the village of Talgum. Today I table another petition from people who are very concerned about it.

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Minister for Ageing) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It sounds like a charming village.

Justine Elliot (Richmond, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, it is a very charming village. The locals there are very concerned. This has caused great distress and anxiety among all the people there. (Time expired)

The petition read as follows—

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives assembled in Parliament:

The petition of certain citizens of Australia draws to the attention of the House its objection to send water from the Northern Rivers of the State of New South Wales to Queensland. The petitioners therefore request the House to reject any plans to send water from the Northern Rivers of the State of New South Wales to Queensland.

from 875 citizens.