The Tasmanian Greens said the passage of the Marine Farming Planning Amendment Bill 2011 with the support of Labor and Liberal last night gives the Primary Industries Minister power to bypass community consultation and the independent panel overseeing aquaculture development applications.
Greens Primary Industry spokesperson Kim Booth MP said that amendments to the Marine Farming Planning Act 1995 would set a dangerous precedent for planning laws in Tasmania.
“These amendments place all the power in the hands of the Minister to approve or veto a marine farming development plan for the aquaculture industry,” Mr Booth said.
“The changes will undermine the community’s right to have input into marine farming activities, and set a dangerous precedent for the state’s planning regime.”
“It also means that marine farming developments such as those being proposed for Macquarie Harbour could escape rigorous environmental scrutiny, if the Minister sees fit to bypass the Marine Farming Planning Review Panel.”
“In April this year, the Panel rejected Tassal’s proposal to expand their lease area at Soldiers Point in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel on grounds that it would adversely impact nearby reef habitat.”
“The Minister must rule out that he took these steps to allow aquaculture developments to avoid proper environmental scrutiny.”
“The Greens support the appropriate development of the aquaculture industry in Tasmania, but we believe it is important for both the environment and the ongoing viability of the industry to ensure that projects meet environmental guidelines.”
“Therefore, we remain firm that marine farming should be should brought under the Planning and Approvals system. This amendment Bill is a step in the wrong direction,” Mr Booth said.
