The Environment Centre of the Northern Territory (ECNT) says 2006 is going to be very challenging for the Northern Territory and global environment.

ECNT Coordinator Peter Robertson said that global warming and the imperative to massively reduce greenhouse gas emissions is the number one priority.

“Without decisive action on this front, our ecological, economic and social support systems will collapse with incalculable costs to current and future generations. Indigenous communities, and industries relying on natural resources such as tourism, fishing and agriculture, are at greatest immediate risk.

“All governments, including our own NT government, must commit to mandatory greenhouse gas reduction targets, and the most rapid possible adoption of energy efficiency (energy conservation and demand management) measures and renewable energy. This direction will lead to major economic benefits through new sustainable industries and jobs.

“At the same time we must not be distracted by the nuclear industry’s attempt to hijack the global warming crisis and promote dirty, dangerous and enormously costly uranium mining and nuclear power. Pouring billions of dollars more into nuclear power would take resources away from safe, clean and renewable energy alternatives, create an even larger toxic legacy of radioactive waste, and promote nuclear weapons proliferation.

“As we saw a week ago, the Federal government’s ‘greenhouse policy’ effectively boils down to increasing exports of both uranium and coal – and the consequences will be disastrous.

“ECNT will continue to campaign hard to prevent any new uranium mines or a radioactive waste dump in the NT.

“Other major issues in 2006 will be:

• Combating the ongoing threat of new large scale land clearing and water extraction proposals, including in the Daly catchment and on the Tiwi Islands .
  
• Declaration of gamba, buffel and other introduced pasture species as weeds and an improved response across the whole of government to invasive species management.
  
• Legislative reform (with increased funding) including implementation of government commitments to create an EPA, reform the Water Act, and draft new NT ‘Living Rivers’ legislation.
  
• Implementation of the new Parks and Conservation Masterplan, and addressing urgent marine conservation and planning needs, e.g. creation of Marine Protected Areas and withdrawal of the government’s Glyde Point industrial proposal north of Darwin.
  
• Highlighting environmentally unacceptable mining ventures such as proposals to mine the bed of the McArthur River and the coastal zone of the Tiwi Islands .

“ECNT will continue to call for more research and investment in sustainable industries appropriate to the NT environment that benefit local communities, use renewable resources and do not rely on large scale clearing or the use of massive inputs of chemicals, water and energy – that is the way of the future if we are to sustain our communities and lifestyles.”

Further comment: Peter Robertson – 8981 1984 / 0409 089 020