Marine & Coastal

29 April 2004

Darwin Wharf Development Public Forum reveals blindfolded Environmental Impact Assessment process

Community participants were left baffled as Darwin City Wharf Development plans were publicly announced in the Community Information Session last week.

The public announcement of timelines for the Darwin Wharf Development revealed that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process would be completed prior to the development plans being finalised and made public.

The draft EIA will be completed on May 17th with the closing date for public comment 28 days later on June 15th. However, the final development plan will not be completed until 5 months later in December.

Adele Pedder of the Environment Centre of the Northern Territory (ECNT), who was present at the Wharf Development Information Session, said "The public is being asked to comment on the draft EIA for the development without actually seeing what the development entails - it is a backwards approach".

"The Wharf Precinct is a massive development and its environmental impacts should not be taken lightly. In Darwin we are fortunate to have the Harbour's unique marine and coastal environment right on our doorstep, and the community recognises that it needs strong protection" said Ms Pedder.

"The public must be able to see what the development entails in order to make informed comment on the Environmental impact Assessment of the development.

The public wants to ensure the Harbour's natural and cultural heritage values, and aesthetic, recreational and amenity values are protected, and they want to have a say on how this occurs."

"The public also needs to be able to see and comment on the detail of the project to ensure that it uses the best available design and technology to create a tropics-friendly built environment based on solar design and recycling principles which minimise waste production, energy use and water consumption."

Contact: Adele Pedder
Northern Marine Campaigner
Ph: 8941 7461/ 0422 108 539
Email: ecnt@octa4.net.au

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