Land Clearing

19 June 2001

Environment Centre NT slams latest report on Ord Stage 2.

The Environment Centre NT is appealing against the Western Australian Environment Protection Agency report recommending the commencement of the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) Stage 2 proposal. The report focuses on the management of the project area and is the final stage of a two-part assessment by the EPA both recommending approval of Stage 2 subject to conditions.

The proposal involves the clearing of over 33,000 hectares of land to establish a monoculture of sugarcane crops by Wesfarmers Sugar Company Pty Ltd, Marubeni Corporation and the WA Water Corporation. The project area extends over 76,000 hectares of land with equal areas in WA and the NT, north-east of Kununurra.

The Northern Woodlands Campaigner, Jann Crase said today: "We do not support the recommendation of the EPA that the environmental impacts of the proposal are in any way 'acceptable'. The clearing and burning of 33,500 hectares of woodland will lead to significant biodiversity loss, destruction of habitat and sources of food for many species, increased soil erosion and sedimentation of creeks and rivers (including the Keep River), increased groundwater levels creating possible salinity problems, and probable chemical contamination of air, soil and water."

"Crucial work is missing from the assessment to date - including an assessment of the area's cultural values and a social impact assessment. Also an analysis of the problems from ORIA Stage 1 has not been undertaken which means lessons from the past aren't being learnt. It would be foolish to proceed to issue an approval when such vital work is lacking from the decision making process."

"The Environment Centre is also concerned that environmental costs of the project will have to be covered by the NT and WA taxpayer. If the project is to be approved, we want to see a bond paid by the proponents to cover any environmental management activities during or after the end of the project to ensure protection of the environment."

The Environment Centre lodged its appeal today strongly objecting against the EPA recommendation that ORIA Stage 2 go ahead. "We believe this project does not make sense on economic, social or environmental grounds and must be rejected" Ms Crase concluded.

For more information on Land Clearing contact ECNT:
Phone: 08 8981 1984
Email: ecnt@octa4.net.au

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