Mining

24 March 2005

Minister needs to check his own Government’s policy on new NT uranium mine

The Environment Centre NT (ECNT) says Federal Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources Ian Macfarlane needs to check his own Government’s policy on the proposed Koongarra uranium mine before he continues talking up new mines and the nuclear industry.

The proposed Koongarra uranium mine, which various companies have been trying to get approval for for over 30 years, would be immediately adjacent to the world famous Aboriginal cultural site and tourism destination of Nourlangie Rock in World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park.

In a recent interview about the prospects for new mines across Australia (18 March 2005, NT Stateline), Mr Macfarlane failed to rule out the proposed Koongarra mine (see below).

ECNT spokesperson Peter Robertson said in 1999 the Howard Government in a formal report to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee stated it supported ‘in principle’ the World Heritage Committee’s recommendation that the Koongarra Project Area be re-included in the Kakadu National Park and that mining be precluded. The Government stated it ‘will not approve a mine that would damage World Heritage values’.

“ Is Mr Macfarlane forgetting previous policies in his haste to drum up business for the nuclear industry, or is he just ignorant of the long history behind this highly destructive and repeatedly rejected mining project?

“ Clearly the Howard Government needs to come clean and announce publicly what its policy is on this uranium mine, and if it has changed from its previous policy.”

PRESENTER:
The moratorium on the lease Koongarra at Kakadu National Park runs out next month. I can … I guess, we can expect that the Federal Government will give the go-ahead there?

MACFARLANE:
Well, that’s got some way to go in terms of processes. The local Aboriginal heritage issues have to be dealt with. Obviously, there’s a process that involves the Northern Territory Government. There are issues in relation to a whole range of permits. Once that comes forward to the Federal Government in terms of environmental safeguards, then that will be considered by my environmental colleague.

Further information and comment:
Peter Robertson 0409 089 020 / 8981 1984
Email: ecnt@octa4.net.au

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