Nelson Bay River Mine vehicle “exemptions” make a mockery of environmental permits.
Save the Tarkine have expressed disbelief at the vehicle exemptions granted to the works at the Shree Minerals Nelson Bay River proposed mine.
Documents released to Save the Tarkine have shown that the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities have granted exemptions from the permit conditions requiring the company provide bus transport to the site to protect the last disease free populations of Tasmanian devil. A total of seven commuter vehicles have been exempted for just twelve staff (seven four wheel drive vehicles and two trucks).
“Why does Minister Butler even bother with the charade of pretending to care about the Tasmanian devil?” asks Save the Tarkine Campaign Coordinator, Scott Jordan.
“One minibus could have met the staff transport requirements, and yet we see a capitulation to the convenience of the mining company over the protection of the environment”
“It makes a mockery of the environmental permits, and shows why mining cannot be trusted in the Tarkine wilderness.”
Save the Tarkine is still awaiting the Minister’s Statement of Reasons sought of the 1st of August.
Scott Jordan, Campaign Coordinator, Save the Tarkine
