Mining

25 October 2002

Negotiation On Parks The Way To Go

But Mining And Exploration In Parks Unacceptable

The Environment Centre NT has welcomed the NT Government's announcement that it intends to negotiate with Land Councils over the tenure of the NT's National Parks and Reserves rather than commence legal actions. The NT Government has received legal advice that over 50 NT Parks have been invalidly declared following the Miriuwung and Gajerrong Native Title Claims.

Environment Centre Coordinator Kirsten Blair said today:

"We welcome the negotiation approach by the NT Government. Hopefully the negotiations will lead to greater traditional owner involvement in Parks management. For too long Parks declaration in the NT has been at the expense of traditional owners land rights."

"We are hopeful that a constructive approach to resolving Land Rights and Native Title issues will ultimately lead to new additions to the NT's protected areas estate once traditional owners start to receive some benefits from protected areas. Less than 5% of the NT is currently in a protected area, which is significantly less than the proportion of land and sea protected in other parts of Australia."

"Whilst we welcome the negotiation approach we are disappointed by the NT Government's commitment to maintain 'business as usual' in the Parks with regard to exploration and mining. Currently the NT Government allows mineral exploration in National Parks and is prepared to consider mines on a case-by-case basis. This contradicts their pre-election promise and is out of step with public opinion on the issue. A 1996 Morgan poll found 82% of people thought that mining in wilderness areas was inappropriate. The NT Government's next step must be to exclude mining and exploration activities in our Parks and Reserves." Ms Blair concluded.

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

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