An eminent academic has joined the storm of criticism following the decision by the Queensland Government to build dams at Wyaralong and on the Mary River.

Professor Jean Joss, evolutionary biologist at Macquarie University, has fired an early shot in what is likely to be an important environmental campaign to save the unique aquatic species endangered by the proposed project on the Mary River.

Professor Joss has written an article arguing against the dam on environmental and scientific grounds. She is also encouraging concerned people to write to a range of politicians and government departments.

The dam is likely to disrupt the habitat of the Australian lungfish, the Mary River turtle and the Mary River cod. All species are listed as endangered.

Professor Joss considers the iconic Australina lungfish, found nowhere else in the world, will not survive the assault on the Mary River, one of its last remaining habitats. The lungfish's other natural habitat, the Burnett River, has already been compromised by the building of the Paradise Dam and the huge Walla Weir.

'The Queensland Government's surprise decision to proceed with a mega dam (660,000 ML) on the Mary River is wrong for almost every reason,' states Professor Joss.

'The significance of the Australian lungfish cannot be overstated. … Australia is the custodian of the source of this invaluable library of information for the rest of the world,' Professor Joss adds.

Professor Joss believes that the dams will not solve South-East Queensland's water shortage.

'Surely the answer to Australia's water problem lies in education on water use and smart new technologies not in last century, environmentally damaging dams on fragile coastal river systems,' she writes.

Professor Joss has asked interested organisations and individuals to lobby the federal environment minister, the federal opposition environment spokesperson, and the Queensland Government ministers for the Environment, Natural Resources, Public Works and the Premier.

Read Professor Joss's article in full

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