Is this what Tony Burke’s bilateral assessments will deliver for the Tarkine?
The Tarkine National Coalition has reacted with disbelief to the Tasmanian EPA’s approval of the Shree Minerals Nelson Bay River mine despite clearly incomplete and fraudulent information tendered by the proponent.
The Shree Minerals’ Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Nelson Bay River open cut iron ore mine as a mismatch of omissions, flawed assumptions and misrepresentations. Key data on endangered orchids were missing, and projections on roadkill impacts on Tasmanian devil and Spotted tailed quoll were based on fanciful data known to contradict the company’s independent Traffic Impact Assessment.
“The EPA seems to have abandoned rational science and accepted Shree Minerals’ assertion that a 1km long 220 metre deep open cut pit extending
170 metres below the level of the adjacent Nelson Bay River wont impact on hydrology,” said Tarkine National Coalition’s Campaign Coordinator, Scott Jordan.
“The EPA also has chosen to accept Shree Minerals blatent contradictions and misrepresentations in the data relating to projections of Tasmanian devil roadkill from mine related traffic by accepting projections substantially lower than Shree Minerals’ own expert produced Traffic Impact Assessment.”
“This increase of traffic will, on the company’s formulae, result in up to 32 devil deaths per year, not the 3 per year in presented in the data accepted by the EPA.”
This failure comes within days of Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke’s decision to absolve himself of responsibility for conducting environmental assessments by allowing the Tasmanian Government to conduct the EPBC assessments for mining projects in the Tarkine.
“Is this really the assessment regime that Tony Burke want to oversee the protection of the environment in the Tarkine?”
Decisions on Commonwealth environmental approvals and local council approvals have not been granted at this point. Unlike the Venture Minerals projects, the Shree Minerals also has a concurrently running Commonwealth assessment.
Pic: Nicole Anderson
• Christine Milne: When will Tony Burke act on the Tarkine?
“The Tasmanian Government EPA’s approval of the Shree Minerals mine confirms exactly why Tony Burke is wrong to trust this agency with the assessment of new mines in the Tarkine.” Senator Christine Milne, leader of the Australian Greens said today.
“Shree Minerals has no friends in the Tasmanian mining industry. The company fudged their data on likely impacts on the Tasmanian Devil – yet here they are securing Tasmanian Government approval.
“The ball is now in Tony Burke’s court. He should reject Shree’s mine, which still has to pass federal environmental approvals tests. He must reverse his decision to let Venture Mineral’s three mines be assessed by the Tasmanian Government.
“By not heritage listing the Tarkine, Tony Burke has washed his hands of responsible environmental protection and approval of the Tarkine rainforest and the threatened Tasmanian Devil, and now we see the consequences.”
• GREENS SEEK ANSWERS OVER SHREE MINERALS ASSESSMENT
Cloud Now Hangs Over Federal Assessment
Paul O’Halloran MP
Greens Member for Braddon
Friday, 27 July 2012
The Tasmanian Greens will write to Tasmania’s Environment Protection Authority seeking further information over a decision to approve an iron ore mine at Nelson Bay River.
Greens Member for Braddon Paul O’Halloran MP said serious concerns had been raised about the reliability and accuracy of information provided to the Authority by the mine proponent, Shree Minerals.
“The public should be able to have full confidence in the capacity of agencies like the EPA to independently assess these controversial mining projects and to test the accuracy and rigour of the data they are provided,” Mr O’Halloran said.
“Serious concerns have been raised about the accuracy of the data provided to the EPA for its assessment of the project.”
“Critical details regarding the impact on threatened species appear to be missing or inconsistent with previously released data, and the potential hydrological impacts have not been fully assessed.”
“When you consider that the mine itself will be well below the level of the nearby Nelson Bay River, it’s hard to see how this will not impact on the area’s hydrology.”
“If the Commonwealth uses the same questionable data for its assessment for the project, then the Tasmanian public will be rightly sceptical when their final decision is handed down.”
First published: 2012-07-27 02:14 AM
• PUBLIC URGED TO GETUP FOR TARKINE & TASSIE DEVIL
As Concern Grows Over Federal Environment Minister Turning Blind Eye to Mining Impacts
Paul O’Halloran MP
Greens Member for Braddon
Thursday, 2 August 2012
The Tasmanian Greens today said an advert placed in a national newspaper today urging people to contact the Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke and call for the Tarkine to be protected, demonstrates the growing national awareness and concern over this issue.
Greens Member for Braddon, Paul O’Halloran MP, said that the GetUp! advert sought to give voice to the endangered Tasmanian Devil, highlighting that the Federal Environment Minister had placed mining interests before the needs of this iconic species.
“There is growing national concern over the fate of the Tarkine, which as a last stronghold of disease-free populations of the endangered Tasmanian Devil, is seen as being closely entwined with the fate of this iconic native animal,” Mr O’Halloran said.
“This national call for people to get up and stand up for the Tarkine and the Tasmanian Devil, is timely as it coincides with Venture announcing a possible fourth tin mine.”
“Concerned Tasmanians also need to take this opportunity and tell Tony Burke that they are outraged that he has put the interests of large strip-mine proposals before his responsibility as Environment Minister to the welfare of the Tasmanian Devil, and the recognised heritage and environmental values of the Tarkine currently being assessed.”
“The Tarkine could be the Kakadu of Tasmania’s north west. It offers invaluable opportunities for local tourism businesses and diversified local economies, as well as a haven for our precious wildlife.”
“It is past time that Tony Burke gets the message, and stands up for the protection of the Tarkine.”
Download: Copy of GetUp! Advert placed in the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper today (Thurs):
(File too big; try the Greens website)
• Jude …
Please take a minute to vote in poll re mining projects in the Tarkine, currently a strong yes vote.
http://www.examiner.com.au/story/164194/landmark-tin-discovery-in-the-tarkine/?cs=95
Landmark’ tin discovery … in the Tarkine
A MINERAL exploration company has announced a “landmark” tin discovery in the Tarkine.
Venture Minerals made the announcement to the Australian Securities Exchange today after requesting a trading halt yesterday.
Managing director Hamish Halliday said the discovery, named Big Wilson, was made six kilometres from the company’s flagship Mt Lindsay tin and tungsten project in the state’s North-West.
The announcement has angered environmental groups calling to have the Tarkine world heritage listed.
Tarkine National Coalition campaign coordinator Scott Jordan said the group would fight to prevent mining in the area.
“We are committed to mobilising the resources of the wider conservation movement to prevent even one of Venture Minerals’ mine proposals in the Tarkine, and we will sure as hell not be accepting this fourth proposed mine,” Mr Jordan said.
Venture Minerals shares have jumped 5.5c to 33.5c a share since the trading halt was lifted following the announcement.
Do you support mining projects in the Tarkine? Current results are Yes 55.9% No 41.4%
