25 MAY 2011news.smh.com.au
Wild Rivers laws loom again for Qld miner
Edited by : AL CIRCLE
2 min read
Queensland's Wild Rivers laws could thwart plans for a large-scale bauxite mine on Cape York for a second time.
Cape Alumina was last year forced to abandon its Pisolite Hills project when the state government made a Wild Rivers declaration over the Wenlock River basin.
The declaration banned mining within 500 metres of rivers, creeks and tributaries in the basin, making the project unviable. Advertisement: Story continues below.
Now the company's Plan B site is facing a similar fate.
Environment Minister Kate Jones has reconfirmed the government's intention to make a Wild Rivers declaration over the Ducie River basin, but won't give a time frame.
The basin takes in Cape Alumina's proposed Bauxite Hills site around the Skardon River.
The Wilderness Society, the driving force behind the controversial laws, believes a draft proposal for a declaration over the Ducie basin will be made in the "next few months".
Spokesman Glenn Walker says it's a priority for the group, and has vowed to fight the Bauxite Hills project.
He says it will destroy eucalyptus forests and significantly effect the Skardon River.
"Bauxite mining is highly environmentally destructive and we will be fighting this one as we did the previous one," he told AAP.
Cape Alumina acting chief executive Neville Conway does not believe a declaration will be made to cover the Skardon River, but the company could press ahead even if one is made.
"The fact is Skardon River is not a wild river and even if it is declared we are confident we will be able to develop the Bauxite Hills project," he told AAP.
Declarations have so far been made over four Cape York rivers.
All have been staunchly opposed by Aboriginal leader Noel Pearson who argues they stifle economic development in indigenous communities.
However, Ms Jones says 140 development applications have so far been approved in Wild Rivers areas and the government wants a balance between economic growth and environmental protection.
"Our job is to continue to generate jobs on Cape York while ensuring ecologically sensitive areas are protected," she told AAP.
Cape Alumina has said the Bauxite Hills project will provide similar regional benefits to the defunct Pisolite Hills plan - 1700 jobs and a $1.2 billion boost to the national economy.
Cape Alumina was last year forced to abandon its Pisolite Hills project when the state government made a Wild Rivers declaration over the Wenlock River basin.
The declaration banned mining within 500 metres of rivers, creeks and tributaries in the basin, making the project unviable. Advertisement: Story continues below.
Now the company's Plan B site is facing a similar fate.
Environment Minister Kate Jones has reconfirmed the government's intention to make a Wild Rivers declaration over the Ducie River basin, but won't give a time frame.
The basin takes in Cape Alumina's proposed Bauxite Hills site around the Skardon River.
The Wilderness Society, the driving force behind the controversial laws, believes a draft proposal for a declaration over the Ducie basin will be made in the "next few months".
Spokesman Glenn Walker says it's a priority for the group, and has vowed to fight the Bauxite Hills project.
He says it will destroy eucalyptus forests and significantly effect the Skardon River.
"Bauxite mining is highly environmentally destructive and we will be fighting this one as we did the previous one," he told AAP.
Cape Alumina acting chief executive Neville Conway does not believe a declaration will be made to cover the Skardon River, but the company could press ahead even if one is made.
"The fact is Skardon River is not a wild river and even if it is declared we are confident we will be able to develop the Bauxite Hills project," he told AAP.
Declarations have so far been made over four Cape York rivers.
All have been staunchly opposed by Aboriginal leader Noel Pearson who argues they stifle economic development in indigenous communities.
However, Ms Jones says 140 development applications have so far been approved in Wild Rivers areas and the government wants a balance between economic growth and environmental protection.
"Our job is to continue to generate jobs on Cape York while ensuring ecologically sensitive areas are protected," she told AAP.
Cape Alumina has said the Bauxite Hills project will provide similar regional benefits to the defunct Pisolite Hills plan - 1700 jobs and a $1.2 billion boost to the national economy.
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