EXAMINER
FEARS that the Tasmanian devil could become extinct have finally been recognised by the Federal Government. Read more here
Christine Milne: Devil listing should stop Tarkine Road
Hobart, Friday 22 May 2009
The belated listing of the Tasmanian Devil as an endangered species will provide Minister Garrett with a substantial to refuse planning permission for the Tarkine Road, the Australian Greens said today.
Recent scientific evidence showed that the Tarkine Road could facilitate the spread of the Devil Facial Tumour Disease into some of the last remaining unaffected populations.
The listing of the devil comes as Australian Greens Senator Christine Milne launched a hard-hitting report, Paradoxes of Protection, by Dr Louise Crossley, which details the under-resourcing and mismanagement of Tasmania’s parks, another serious threat to the devil’s future.
“I welcome Peter Garrett’s belated move to list the Tassie Devil as an endangered species, but if he was serious about strong action, he would be protecting the habitat of the devil from ongoing destruction of forests and roads,” Senator Milne said.
“His opportunity to make the listing mean something, is to finally put the destructive Tarkine Road to bed.
“The proposed Tarkine Road is environmentally destructive and is against the wishes of the local community.
“What’s more it could directly increase the chances of the Tassie Devil being driven to extinction in the wild.
“With that very real risk, Peter Garrett must step up to the plate and reject approval for this road, just as he outright rejected the Shoalwater Bay coal port because of its clear environmental impacts.
“Minister Garrett has the power to refuse approval if the project is so ecologically destructive that it would clearly breach the EPBC Act. This proposed road is a case in point.
“The road Forestry Tasmania is proposing might be badged as a tourist route, but it is clearly all about propping up Forestry Tasmania’s flagging bottom line.
“Locals know that there are better options for the region which would support long-term jobs in sustainable communities instead of propping up short-term destructive practices.
“At the urging of the Greens, the Federal Government has already publicly stated that it will not fund this ecologically destructive road. Mr Garrett should now step up and also make it clear that he will not approve the road,” Senator Milne said.
Paradoxes of Protection is available at http://www.christinemilne.org.au
http://www.christinemilne.org.au/| www.GreensMPs.org.au
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