Senator Nick McKim to write to Environment Minister Greg Hunt over World Heritage Area power station

Australian Greens Senator Nick McKim has written to Environment Minister Greg Hunt after a proposal for a hydro-electric scheme within the boundaries of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area was granted conditional approval by Meander Valley Council.

The Fish River mini-hydro power station proposal was passed by the council in July, despite the proposed location lying within World Heritage boundaries set in 2013.

“I have written to Minister Hunt asking him to assess a proposal for a hydro-electric scheme at Fish River, within the boundaries of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area,” Senator McKim said.

“It is likely that the proposal will impact on values protected under the Environmental Protection Biodiversity and Conservation Act (1999).”

“I understand Meander Valley Council were unaware of the World Heritage status of this site when the decision was made.”

“Regardless of how the decision was reached, Mr Hunt must now intervene to properly assess the proposal and protect the precious World Heritage values of the area.”
Australian Greens Senator Nick McKim