TARKINE ROAD TO BE ASSESSED UNDER FEDERAL ENVIRONMENT LAWS

www.tas.greens.org.au
The Tasmanian Greens today said that it was inevitable that the Federal Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, had determined that David Bartlett’s controversial Tarkine loop road requires assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC).

Greens Environment spokesperson Cassy O’Connor MP, welcomed the decision saying that Premier David Bartlett should stop wasting everyone’s time, abandon this divisive project and instead reallocate the $23 million into boosting park tourism infrastructure and supporting local businesses in the region.

“It comes as no surprise that Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett has finally announced that David Bartlett’s divisive Tarkine loop road project will need to be assessed under the EPBC Act due to the road’s potential negative impact on our threatened and iconic species, as well as the natural and cultural heritage values of the Tarkine Wilderness region,” Ms O’Connor said.

“The Greens wrote to Minister Garrett in February this year pointing to the work already undertaken by scientists which has identifies the threat that this road presents to threatened species including the Wedge-tailed Eagle, Swift Parrot, Tasmanian Devil, the Giant Freshwater Crayfish, the Eastern Barred Bandicoot, and the Green and Golden Bell Frog, as well as vulnerable flora.”

“We firmly believe that this threat will be found to be serious and that the road is incompatible with good environmental outcomes, and we urge Premier Bartlett to stop, rethink, and abandon this divisive folly now.”

“Instead an investment of $23 million that protects the Tarkine as a national park, and boosts tourism infrastructure and local business support surrounding the Tarkine region is the smart way to secure both a natural and cultural icon for the north-west and the long term economic future of local communities,” Ms O’Connor said.
Cassy O’Connor MP Greens Environment and Coastal Protection spokesperson