Media release – Bob Brown Foundation, 12 July 2021
TARKINE SHOULD SEE MMG’S BULLDOZERS EXIT.
Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley’s declaration that MMG’s proposed toxic waste dump in the takayna / Tarkine rainforest is a ‘controlled action’, requiring an environmental impact assessment, means its bulldozers should get out of the Tarkine immediately, Bob Brown said today.
“MMG’s heavy machinery should never have been allowed into such a magnificent rainforest and wildlife area. We contend that it was not lawful and today’s decision by the Minister for the Environment confirms that opinion. MMG’s maverick behaviour has led to the needless arrest of nearly 70 good people making a stand for one of Australia’s environment gems where the state and federal governments failed. Ms Ley should be charging MMG for pre-empting her decision in such an arrogant and outrageous fashion.”
“We will have forest defenders on site tomorrow morning but they will stand aside for MMG’s bulldozers if they are reversing out of takayna / Tarkine,” BBF Campaign Manager Jenny Weber said.
“The Minister should have cleared the air properly and made a definitive decision that this tailings dam does not belong in the rainforests of takayna / Tarkine when there are several options for MMG nearer the mine and outside this priceless area,” she said.
Defenders are ready to usher MMG out of Tasmania’s takayna rainforests
Bob Brown Foundation’s forest defenders will usher MMG’s machines out of the takayna/Tarkine rainforests this morning (13 July). That is, unless MMG defies yesterday’s notice by the federal Minister for the Environment, Sussan Ley, that an environmental impact assessment is required before work on its proposed toxic waste dump can proceed.
“Citizens are on site in takayna, attached to machines, but ready to step aside if the miner does the right thing and takes its machines out. Chinese state-owned MMG will be thumbing its nose at the Morrison government if it doesn’t remove its machines from takayna/Tarkine this morning. It has options outside this rainforest.
Yesterday, Ms Ley decided the miner’s proposed heavy metals tailings waste dump is a controlled action under the EPBC Act. The project’s huge impact on the environment now requires her assessment and approval before it can proceed,” BBF’s Campaign Manager Jenny Weber said.
“It would spark a national environmental showdown if MMG defied the Minister by continuing to build its access road to build the tailings dam,” Jenny Weber said.
“I’m scared that when I am my parents’ age I’ll be living on an unrecognisable planet, left only with the memory of forests long dead, having to explain to my own children what they meant and why they’re gone. That’s why I’m here today,” said Clare Jacobson, 20, tour guide.
“This action is important to me because I don’t feel represented. The students I have experience climate anxiety and frustration at the lack of action. We are calling for this land to be handed back to indigenous Australians,” said Thomas Friend, 34, teacher.
Media release – MMG, 12 July 2021
MMG welcomes EPBC decision
The Australian Government has declared MMG’s proposal at South Marionoak a controlled action to be assessed under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act.
MMG welcomes the decision and remains committed to ensuring it seeks all required approvals for a new tailings storage facility and extend the life of the Rosebery Mine.
Our priority is to find the safest and most balanced solution that secures the future of the 85 year-old Rosebery mine and the 500 people and their families that it supports.
The community should expect that decisions are based on the best of science, analysis and compliance with stringent dederal and state government environmental approvals.
We look forward to working with the relevant authorities during the assessment process.
Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Environment and Biodiversity spokesperson, 13 July 2021
Gutwein Government Must Direct MMG to Leave takayna/Tarkine Rainforest
Yesterday’s decision by the Federal Government that MMG’s proposed toxic tailings dam in takayna/Tarkine has to be assessed and approved under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 before any work can proceed must be respected.
It appears the company is continuing works today on road expansion, which was specifically included as a ‘controlled action’ in the Minister’s referral decision.
The Gutwein Government needs to step in urgently and direct MMG to halt all work in this forest and comply with the Federal Environment Department’s determination.
MMG’s tailings dam proposal destroys 285 hectares of publicly-owned ancient forest. The site includes rainforest communities, critically endangered black gum and Brookers gum, and is home to a multitude of threatened species.
The Federal Government has recognised the values of this area, and their state colleagues should do the same.
We call on Minister Barnett to stop MMG continuing its works on the now-declared EPBC assessment site, and apologise to the Bob Brown Foundation for demonising their efforts to record the endangered species present.
Resources Minister Guy Barnett can stop this destruction today with the stroke of a pen. If he won’t, the Premier should step in and direct him to do so.
Media release – Felix Ellis, Liberal Member for Braddon, 13 July 2021
Greens again showing disdain for Tasmanian jobs
It simply beggars belief that the Greens are ignoring the normal planning and approvals process and instead callously calling for 500 jobs in the north-west to be thrown on the scrapheap.
It was MMG themselves that initiated a referral to the Commonwealth to ascertain if their proposed tailings storage facility should be assessed under the EPBC Act, which has now been determined by the Commonwealth.
This is not unexpected and will now allow the proposal to be assessed under the normal planning and environmental approvals processes – as it should be.
Importantly, MMG will now prepare the information it needs for this assessment to proceed while continuing to operate on site in accordance with its lease conditions and current approvals.
Calling for these workers to down tools – essentially putting 500 people out of work – is yet another callous example of the Greens’ complete disdain for Tasmanian jobs, and for a workplace that has been an important part of the north-west economy for 85 years.
Rosalie Woodruff should apologise and let the process take its course – or if she doesn’t, she should drive up to Rosebery and tell these workers to their face why she wants to put their families in the unemployment queue.
