: News Article

Dam features highly in enviro doco

24/02/2004

Ross River Dam is set to makes its international film debut. Not as a prop, but as a star.

Around 15 per cent of the new documentary titled, ‘The Kingdom of the Jabiru’ is dedicated to the dam as a wetland of international significance.

The documentary is the fourth in a seven, one hour Australian-environment series by Ingham based film-maker John Young and features wetlands from Cape York to Cape Bowling Green.

The series is sold to a national broadcaster and will be distributed internationally. NQ Water is hosting an advanced screening at Warrina Cineplex on Monday 1 March in celebration of the North Queensland Wetlands Festival.

Ross River Dam is among the best wetlands the north and the far north have to offer, which means it is among the best in the world said Mr Young.

“I couldn’t believe my eyes when I first saw the dam,” he said. “The variety and volume of birdlife the dam supports is astounding.

“In most dam building, the trees are pushed over which diminishes the environmental value as many species will ignore a wetland if there are no breeding grounds. The stands of dead trees left in Ross River Dam make it special and is largely the reason these breeds can be found there year-round.”

The dam was home to many species of birds and the presence of species like the rare Black Throated Finch, Yellow Wagtail and Cotton Pygmie Geese could prove to be a latent tourism magnet said Mr Young.

“Ross River Dam is a Mecca for bird watchers and a greatly under-realised tourism asset,” Mr Young said. “The ‘green’ tourism dollar is looking for new experiences like this and this dam has the added value of being very accessible.”
NQ Water Environment Manager Rob Hunt encouraged community participation. ‘The documentary is great recognition for the dam and an easy way to get to know more about the important part wetlands play in the environment,’ he said. Tickets are available at NQ Water at 150 Walker St.

© 2004 NQ Water