Llewellyn: Tarkine loop poses a threat to devil

CASSY O’CONNOR, Greens Environment Spokesperson, www.tas.greens.org.au

The Tasmanian Greens today slammed the Minister for Primary Industries and Water after he admitted IN Budget Estimates that the Forestry Tasmania’s proposed Tarkine Road represents an increased threat to the survival of the Tasmanian Devil, but has no pans to ensure that a comprehensive scientific assessment on the potential spread of Devil Facial Tumour Disease is undertaken.

Greens Environment Spokesperson Cassy O’Connor MP accused Minister Llewellyn of being evasive on the Commonwealth referral for assessment of the Tarkine Road under the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

“Despite admitting that the proposed road would pose ‘an increased threat’ to the survival of the Tasmanian Devil, David Llewellyn confirmed that no comprehensive scientific assessment would be carried out on the road’s capacity to spread the Devil Facial Tumour Disease,” Ms O’Connor said.

“The Minister confirmed that the Threatened Species Unit in DPIW would not be integral to the Federal referral, as it should be given the endangered status of the Tasmanian Devil.”

“26 respected scientists believe that the threat posed by the loop road to the Devil is unacceptable.”

“Minister Llewellyn said that the road design will mitigate potential impacts, but the precautionary principle must apply to protect a species this close to the brink of extinction.”

“It isn’t enough to ‘take into consideration’ the potential impacts on the devil.”

“State and Federal governments are legally and morally obliged to ensure the road poses no threat to any endangered species in Tasmania,” Ms O’Connor said.