Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Environment and Biodiversity spokesperson
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.