Minister Debus' foreword states; "The task of saving our threatened species is a mammoth one, but it is not all doom and gloom... ". Perhaps the use of the term 'mammoth' is prophetic in view of the current state of affairs in respect to threatened species. There is little doubt in the mid of many environmentalists, that many of our threatened species are rapidly following that pachyderm into oblivion. Mr. Debus continues: "Around the State thousands of individual actions are being taken to help the recovery of hundreds of threatened species, populations and ecological communities...."

In response to our letters protesting the proposed destruction of habitat to build the Shannon Creek dam, the Minister replied: "Thank you for your letters regarding your concerns about the Shannon Creek Dam and the impact on threatened species." In his response, Mr Debus never again mentioned threatened species: Instead: "The NSW Government has an obligation to ensure that adequate water supplies are provided to residents who live in the Coffs Harbour/Clarence Valley area. The potential to increase the volume of the dam (from an approved 30,000ML to 75,000ML) recognises this obligation and the likelihood of an increase in population in this general area."

He makes this statement despite the Commission of Inquiry finding: "Constructing a 20,000ML storage now and enlarging it to a 30,000ML in the future will have an unacceptable impact on habitat of endangered species which will be developed in the Buffer Zone around the impoundment."

The EIS acknowledged the dam and infrastructure will destroy habitat for 30 threatened fauna species through bulldozing, burning and flooding of about 250 ha of bush. The displaced birds, animals and reptiles will then have to compete with others for their ever dwindling food source. On the other hand the EIS acknowledged just one threatened plant species, the endangered Melichrus hirsutus, which was discovered, not by North Coast Waters' (NCW) ecologists, but two years earlier by botanists conducting an audit of the State's Vacant Crown Land. Three separate studies commissioned by NCW failed, however, to mention a colony of Melichrus growing at the dam's spillway site.

Our research has uncovered no less than six other threatened plant species that will be destroyed by this project. Add to that an Endangered Ecological Community and two other Endangered species listed in recent months and three other RoTAP species, and Shannon Creek is fast getting the recognition it deserves in terms of biodiversity. A far cry from the degraded grazing land the EIS described.

In late 2002 we reported the destruction of threatened species to National Parks, now Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC). Despite reports showing the destruction was done in breach of numerous consent conditions, DEC have failed to take any action. They have also refused to allow us access to those reports, claiming legal privilege. These threatened trees and shrubs were never identified in the EIS. So much for Mr Debus' claims in relation to the protection of threatened species.

-John and Patricia Edwards