Heritage list call to block Cape York mines

In a letter to Environment Minister Tony Burke, the Wilderness Society says six proposed mines, including Rio Tinto's giant South of Embley bauxite expansion, threaten the "extraordinary natural values" of the region.

Campaigner Gavan McFadzean said that if approved, the emergency listings would slow the government approvals process for the mines until after a campaign to place parts of Cape York on the World Heritage List.

"It's also an insurance policy in case of a Campbell Newman victory and the LNP's policy to repeal the Cape York Wild Rivers protections, which exposes the Wenlock River to mining development," Mr McFadzean told The Australian.

LNP leader Mr Newman has vowed to overturn the wild rivers declarations on Cape York, which prevent mining and halted the Cape Alumina company's plans for a bauxite operation near the Wenlock River.

The Wilderness Society, which supported Anna Bligh's Labor government at the 2009 state election because of her defence of the wild rivers bill, said the Cape Alumina mine would go ahead under a Newman government.

LNP environment spokesman Andrew Powell said an LNP government would protect Cape York's iconic areas and waterways. "The LNP will strike a balance between preserving the environment and freeing locals from welfare dependence," he said.

Queensland Environment Minister Vicky Darling said the LNP had vowed to "drain, drill and dry up the wild rivers on the Cape".

Mr Burke said he had ordered his department to look into the Wilderness Society's request.

"I would caution that emergency heritage listings are extremely rare," he said. "But regardless of whether or not a heritage listing is in place, the normal rules for environmental approvals still apply, such as protection of endangered species."

All six mining proposals, all of which have at least some indigenous support, are currently being assessed by state or federal governments.

A spokesman for Rio Tinto said respect for the environment was central to the company's approach on Cape York, and it had consulted widely on its South of Embley expansion.

The most recent places to receive emergency national heritage listings were in Tasmania: the Jordan River levee, in December 2010, and the Tarkine rainforest, in December 2009.

A national heritage listing of parts of Cape York would not mean an automatic ban on mining and development but would ensure the peninsula's heritage values were considered before such activities were approved.

The state and federal Labor governments support nominating parts of Cape York for World Heritage listing and are working to achieve the necessary indigenous consent.