The Tarkine National Coalition has described the referral of the $25million Forestry Tasmania ‘Tarkine Drive’ as critically incomplete, inadequate and bordering on the farcical.
“This incomplete referral documents highlight the high levels of risk to threatened species and intact forest communities, but then ask the Minister to approve the development on the promise that further reports and mitigation will be undertaken later.” said TNC Tourism Project Officer, Scott Jordan.
“These reports need to be completed before any proper assessment or review can be undertaken. This is clearly unacceptable.”
“The public will now have only 10 days to make public submissions to the Commonwealth, and by submitting the referral now without these reports being undertaken the public is being cheated of the opportunity to properly scrutinize the project and make informed public submissions.”
In February this year 26 well credentialed scientists highlighted the risk posed by this proposed road to the last disease free refuge of the Tasmanian devil.
“This referral acknowledges the risk both of introduction of the disease and increased road kill deaths, but only solution offered in that they will conduct road kill and headlight surveys before and after, and that they will use unspecified, unresearched and untested ‘mitigation measures’.”
“Wait and see is not an adequate response to the critical impact on the Devil.”
The reports yet to be undertaken include a report into sub surface investigations under the Aboriginal Relics Act 1975, Wedge-tailed eagle survey, botanical surveys of threatened orchid and lichen species, targeted surveys into Tasmanian devil and Spotted-tailed quoll dens, and road kill surveys.
The Tarkine National Coalition has urged Minister Garrett to join with tourism bodies, environment groups and West Coast and Waratah-Wynyard Councils in their rejection of this proposed project.
Scott Jordan, Tarkine National Coalition
