Departmental advice tendered in evidence during Save the Tarkine’s successful Federal Court challenge to the Commonwealth approval of Shree Minerals’ Nelson Bay River mine in the Tarkine show that the Minister was advised that the proposed mine development would likely introduce the Devil Facial Tumour Disease into the Tarkine’s disease free stronghold, and that proposed offsets were inadequate. (excerpts below).
The Approved Conservation Advice clearly states that a business as usual scenario will lead to extinction in the wild within 25-35 years (from the 2009 publication).
“The documents tendered in court clearly showed the former Minister was aware that the decision to approve the Shree Minerals’ mine would ensure the spread of the disease, therefore condemning the Tasmanian devil to extinction in the wild,” said Save the Tarkine Campaign Coordinator, Scott Jordan.
“This is no longer just the conservationists and concerned scientists, this is the specific departmental advice provided to the former Minister Burke”.
“If Minister Butler thinks he can follow his predecessor’s lead, he needs to understand that it will be without the secrecy that surrounded the advice on the previous decision, and that it will be challenged again in the courts”.
The Minister has declined an offer by Save the Tarkine to visit the Tarkine to show the Minister the area’s of concern. Save the Tarkine will meet with the Minister in Burnie tomorrow.
From the …
Recommendation Report Nelson Bay River Magnetite / Hematite Mine, Tasmania (EPBC 2011/5846), Department for Water, Environment, Sustainability, Population and Communities.
21. The primary threat to the survival of the Tasmanian Devil is Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), an infectious, malignant cancer spread by biting and fighting over food mating, establishing dominance or during juvenile dispersal. Populations in the north-west (including the study area) are considered the last stronghold that is disease free. There is a real risk that indirect impacts from project activities could increase the spread of this disease, endangering the north-west population stronghold.
47. The department concludes that based on the current information (final EIS), the proposed offset of part of the mining lease will be inadequate compensation for the loss of in excess of 150ha of habitat for the affected listed threatened species, particularly the Tasmanian Devil.
The greater threat to the Tasmanian Devil population in the Tarkine region is the spread of Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). The Tasmanian Devil population in the Tarkine is currently DFTD free and further development in the region may accelerate the spread of the disease.
From the Supplementary Recommendation Report Nelson Bay River Magnetite / Hematite Mine, Tasmania (EPBC 2011/5846), Department for Water, Environment, Sustainability, Population and Communities.
18. The department considers that the proposal is also likely to facilitate the spread of the Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) by promoting increased mobility and intermingling of Tasmanian devils, through increased availability of attractants such as anthropogenic food waste and roadkill, and through dispersal routes such as cleared road verges and other miscellaneous cleared areas. These potential impacts are difficult to quantify, but are considered to be significant because:
• DFTD is the key threatening process for the species;
• the proposal is in an area that is currently relatively unaffected by DFTD; and
• the impacts of the proposal contribute to the cumulative impacts of proposed and likely development within the region.
21. The FHPZ (fauna habitat protection zone) proposed by the proponent is not considered by the department to constitute effective mitigation or compensation for likely impacts – the habitat of the FHPZ is of questionable quality in comparison to that which would be lost, the security of the FHPZ is limited to the life of the mine, and inadequate consideration has been given to impacts on Tasmanian devils already resident in the FHPZ.
23. (In relation to the Tasmanian Devil) However, the department considers that residual significant impacts remain likely, particularly in view of potential cumulative impacts of development in north-western Tasmania,
27. (In relation to the Spot-tailed quoll) However, the department considers that residual significant roadkill impacts remain likely, particularly in view of potential cumulative impacts of development in north-western Tasmania,
31. However, the department considers that residual significant roadkill impacts remain likely in the case of the wedge-tailed eagle, particularly in view of potential cumulative impacts of development in north-western Tasmania,
Pic*: Matthew Newton
Photography / Cinematography
GPO Box 1585, Hobart, 7001
Tasmania, Australia
http:/www.matthewnewton.com.au
[email protected]
• Peter Whish-Wilson: New Minister should consult experts on Tarkine
• Nick McKim: Tarkine mine risks introducing devil facial tumour disease
• Scott Jordan: Why is Shree Minerals a Protected Species? Shree Minerals’ unlawful clearing of 5 hectares within a protected area remains unprosecuted despite two months since the Commonwealth Department of Environment, Water Sustainability and Population became aware of this action. The clearing was conducted outside of the permits current at that time (and since set aside).
