Economy
Acid on Burke: Australian Heritage Council recommends Tarkine National Heritage Listing
The Tarkine National Coalition has welcomed a leaked report by the Australian Heritage Council recommending a 433,000 hectare Tarkine National Heritage Area, but has expressed outrage that Environment Minister Tony Burke has suppressed this report before allowing the Tarkine emergency listing to lapse.
The report given to the Minister on 30th September, confirmed the National Heritage Values of the Tarkine and proposed a boundary containing 433,000 hectares.
This area was covered by the Tarkine Emergency National Heritage Listing until December 2011, when federal Environment Minister Tony Burke allowed the Tarkine Emergency National Heritage Listing to lapse citing the removal of the immediate threat of the original Tarkine Road.
The lapsing of the listing allows three mining development projects to avoid assessment against National Heritage criteria. The three current proposed mines in Nelson Bay River (Shree Minerals), Keith River (Tasmania Magnesite) and Mount Lindsay (Venture Minerals), all submitted comment to the 2009 emergency listing AHC consultations and so the Minister was aware of the proposed mines in the Tarkine, and the companies have repeatedly announced intentions for mines to be in operation by 2011-12.
“The Minister has ignored and hidden the Australian Heritage Commission’s recommendation, and this leaked copy of the report makes it clear that he has betrayed the legitimate protection of the Tarkine to mining development” said Tarkine National Coalition’s Campaign Coordinator Scott Jordan.
“We are calling for the immediate implementation of the AHC’s recommended 433,000 hectare Tarkine National Heritage Area.”
A report by Andrew Macintosh at the Australian Centre for Environmental Law (ANU) has identified the Tarkine listing as a case study of how Australia’s National Heritage laws are being abused to prevent the intention of the legislation, namely the listing of National Heritage Areas.
Download: Andrew Macintosh’s report and the Australian Heritage Commission report:
Tarkine_Place_Details_(Aust_Heritage_Database_-_4_March_2011).doc
Working_paper_-_NHL_and_the_Tarkine_(8_March_2011).doc
TARKINE MUST BE PROTECTED IMMEDIATELY
Too Much Time Already Wasted, State Action Called Due to Inaction at Federal Level
Paul ‘Basil’ O’Halloran MP
Greens Member for Braddon
The Tasmanian Greens today called for immediate action to get the world-class Tarkine region listed on the National Heritage Register, highlighting recommendations cited in a recently leaked document for the listing but which the Federal Minister has failed to do.
Greens Member for Braddon Paul ‘Basil’ O’Halloran MP said that for far too long Federal Environment Ministers have failed to act on this issue, and it is now time for the State Minister to step up to the plate, and pressure the Federal Minister to place it on the National Register, and also move to declare the Tarkine as a State National Park.
Mr O’Halloran also called on the Premier to formally request that the Federal Environment Minister now acts to implement the recommendations to place the Tarkine the National Heritage Register.
“The process to get the Tarkine region National Heritage listed has been on-going since 2004 due to recurring extensions made by Federal Environment Ministers over time,” Mr O’Halloran said.
“Recently, Minister Tony Burke has let the emergency listing lapse even with prior knowledge of the information contained in the recently leaked report, which states that the Australian Heritage Council recommends 433,000 hectares become a National Heritage Listed Area, due to identified National Heritage values.”
“We need to stop procrastinating on this issue and enshrine the world-class Tarkine region on the National Heritage Register and protect it as a National Park, to protect the unique sanctuary that it is.” “It is frighteningly clear that the issue of the Tarkine region being secured for current and future generations, is simply not being taken seriously.”
“Now that the AHC has clearly identified National Heritage values there is a responsibility for protection at both Federal and State levels, instead of cutting down the trees and digging up the land for some wood chips and cheap ore.”
“The Tarkine now has massive brand recognition because of its world class natural and globally cultural attributes.”
“It contains some of the most unique and threatened species and landscapes and on the planet.”
“The Tarkine is a land of opportunity, the Kakadu of North West Tasmania. It is a potential jobs Mecca, as demonstrated in the Cradle Coast Authority commissioned report. It must be protected.”
“The Greens are concerned there the procrastination at both Federal and State levels to take responsible action to protect these identified values, indicates the Tarkine is being sold out while extractive industries are prioritised,” Mr O’Halloran said.
Tasmanian ministers back Tarkine heritage lapse
ABC Online
Wed 09 Mar 2011
The Tasmanian Resources minister has confirmed two mining companies want to explore the Tarkine.
Tasmanian Ministers have backed a Federal decision not to add the Tarkine wilderness area to the national heritage list.
The Federal Environment Minister, Tony Burke, let the rainforest’s temporary emergency listing lapse, even though he received an Australian Heritage Council report advising 434,000 hectares of the area is worthy of listing.
Assesment of whether the area deserves protection has been ongoing since 2004.
State Resources Minister Bryan Green has confirmed the Federal Environment Department is considering two mining proposals in the area.
Mr Green and Environment Minister, Brian Wightman told Parliament further consultation was needed.
Mr Wightman said the emergency listing lapse was prudent.
“Any move further towards listing the area must seriously consider potential negative and social and economic impacts from a listing, including on existing rights and uses in the area such as mineral exploration and extraction, forestry and other related activities,” he said.
Mr Green said the mining applications will be assessed under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
“The Government will continue to work with these proponents from the mining sector to ensure we give those projects the best opportunity,”
he said.
Braddon Liberal MHA Adam Brooks says “locking up the Tarkine” would destroy Tasmania’s mining industry.
Protection urged
The Australian Greens have joined calls for Mr Burke to immediately protect the area.
Tasmanian Senator Christine Milne says consultation has gone on long enough and the Minister needs to act.