Travis Swamp

Press, 20 December 1988, Page 12

Travis Swamp

Sir, —Jennifer Lineham (December 9) would be even more uneasy about the drainage of Travis Swamp had she access to the volume of information which I have collected over the past five years. In a report to the hearing panel, the Drainage Board engineer states: “It is also very difficult at this stage to assess what effect filling (up to Im) will have on ground water levels in the surrounding areas

... this (variation of levels) does not exclude the possibility of land further afield from being affected by possible higher ground water levels. To this end it is hoped that the network of field tiles will reduce the general water table level, or at least retain some degree of control.” These fragments are some of the bases on which the panel formed its decision that the flooding fears were groundless. The ignorance of processes in the natural world shown by people who are in a position to influence decision-making is another ground for disquiet. None of the proceedings even touched upon the costs, which will devolve on the ratepayer, initially and in future, of draining the swamp. — Yours, etc., ANNE FLANAGAN for North New Brighton, - Community Council. December 9, 1988.