ECNT » About the ECNT » Convenor's Report 2005

Convenor's Reports

» Comvenor's Reports: 2005 » 2004 » 2003 » 2002 » 2001 » 2000

Convenor's Report 2005

With another year nearly gone, it is time again to reflect on and celebrate what we have been able to achieve.

ECNT, COOLmob and the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS— Darwin ) have had a big year in 2005. A major focus during the earlier half of the year was the NT election; in the latter half, the big push from industry and the Federal government for more uranium mines and radioactive waste dumps became a major focus, unfortunately.

Achievements

Here is a summary of what we have achieved this year:

1. Key Reports and Submissions.

»	Submission on Trans-Territory Pipeline and Blacktip gas project: a very damaging proposal subsequently dumped by Alcan.
»	Submissions on NT Parks and Conservation Masterplan: ECNT and AMCS have helped turn this into a good blueprint for implementation.
»	Submissions on the need for government policies and strategic assessments of proposed new aquaculture and Tiwi Island sandmining projects.
»	Discussion paper on ‘Securing the long term protection of the Daly River’ (in progress).
»	A landmark report on the Daly River ’s aquatic conservation values (with WWF and CDU).
»	Report on Glyde Point conservation values report (with AMCS; in progress).
»	Submissions and correspondence on Waterfront and Myilly Point development proposals.
»	Submission on McArthur River mine expansion EIS (in progress)
»	Oral and written submissions to Federal House of Representatives inquiry into future uranium mining.
»	Correspondence on termite pesticide use at new Lyons residential development.
»	Submission on proposed new Browns Oxide/Rum Jungle mine (Batchelor).
»	Important report on the flaws in the NT Water Act and how it must be amended and improved.
»	Submission on the need to increase NT Government spending on the environment.
»	Submission in response to planning for the future of Kakadu National Park.
»	Objections to various land clearing proposals.
»	Formal nomination of Gamba grass as a ‘Key Threatening Process’ under Commonwealth legislation.

2. Election Campaign.

Our involvement in this year’s NT election campaign—promoting the environment as a key issue—helped secure a series of important promises from the government, including:

»	maintaining land clearing moratorium in the Daly region.
»	formation of an EPA for the NT.
»	comprehensive marine planning.
»	protection of mangroves beyond Darwin Harbour.
»	new ‘Living Rivers’ legislation.
»	funding for COOLmob doubled.
»	increased focus on invasive species in NT.
»	no new uranium mines or waste dumps.
»	overhaul of Water Act and other key environmental legislation.

3. Other Campaign Achievements.

»	Participated in ‘Darwin No Nuclear Waste Dump Committee’ and helped organise successful forum in Darwin.
»	Continued our successful work in ensuring a clean up of the Mt Todd mine disaster area.
»	COOLmob continued community greenhouse education including household energy audits.
»	Helped ensure a full environmental impact assessment is carried out on proposed sandmining operations on Tiwi Island, and maintained focus on clearing of Tiwi forests by Sylvatech/Great Southern Plantations.
»	Worked with AMCS to profile shark fin fishing and threatened sharks. NT shark fishery has now been restructured.
»	Continued involvement with regional and national environment NGO's on a wide range of issues across the NT and northern Australia.
»	Completed upgrade of website (thanks to Claire and Gary).
»	Many meetings with Ministers, MLAs, and Departmental officials.
»	Public exposure and media coverage of a wide range of issues such as: climate change impacts; Tiwi logging and sandmining; Mt Todd mine disaster; McArthur River mine expansion; radioactive waste dump; weeds; Darwin Waterfront Development; sewerage dumping in the Harbour; Ranger uranium mine, etc.
»	Sold several hundred more copies of our excellent Weeds of the Wet/Dry Tropics field guide.

Committees

ECNT sits on a number of government committee's including:

»	Darwin Harbour Advisory Committee;
»	Daly River Community Reference Group (lapsed);
»	Alligator Rivers Regional Advisory Committee (oversight of Ranger uranium mine);
»	Mt Todd Rehabilitation Reference Group;
»	Parks and Conservation Masterplan Advisory Committee.

Summary

As you can judge from the listed achievements, the Environment Centre has continued its very professional approach to its role in protecting our natural world. This year we had the added burden of having to replace the missing funding from the federal government. The fact that the NT Government has agreed to fund us $65, 000 for the current financial year is an indication of the respect that all those involved with the Environment Centre have earned in its dealing with government. As always it is a pleasure and an honour to be part of this organisation.
Di Koser.
Convenor.

About the ECNT » Current Campaigns » What's New » Media Releases
Newsletters » Search/Useful Links » Membership » Contact Us » Home

The Environment Centre of the Northern Territory
3/98 Woods St, Darwin » Postal Address: GPO Box 2120, Darwin 0801 NT
Phone: 08 8981 1984 » Fax: 08 8941 0387 » E-mail: admin@ecnt.org