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27 May 2002

New Environmental Alliance Formed for Northern Australia

Environment groups from around the country have formed an historic new alliance in Darwin, to build a vision of a sustainable future for northern Australia.

At a just finished week-long meeting in Darwin, the new alliance of regional, state and national groups, the Northern Australia Environment Alliance, discussed environmental issues across Cape York Peninsula, Gulf Country, Top End and the Kimberley. This broad region is facing increasing development pressures and urgent conservation challenges.

"We have learnt from this meeting of the major wave of extinctions in birds and mammals occurring now in northern Australia, and the fragile state of the area's marine and estuarine fisheries," said Dr. Barry Traill from The Wilderness Society.

"The lands and seas of tropical northern Australia are universally recognized for their natural and cultural heritage significance. From the Cape to the Kimberley, the region's environment still remains interconnected and largely intact, despite growing threats such as land clearing, irrigation developments, over-fishing and poor land management," said Ms. Kirsten Blair from the Environment Centre of the Northern Territory.

"It is clear that the mistakes of land management made in southern Australia are now being repeated in the north. A consistent and coordinated approach is required across the whole region. The involvement of traditional land owners in this process is essential," said Ms. Maria Mann, from Environs Kimberley.

"The vision which is emerging from this meeting is of a new innovative development framework to create a diverse, prosperous, sustainable and equitable future for the region which maintains the natural integrity of the environment in its totality. The vision can be summarized as healthy country and healthy communities for northern Australia," said Mr. Charlie Sherwin, from the Australian Conservation Foundation.

On behalf of: Environment Centre of the Northern Territory, Conservation Council of Western Australia Environs Kimberly, Queensland Conservation Council, North Queensland Conservation Council Cairns and Far North Environment Centre, The Wilderness Society, Australian Conservation Foundation

For further information or interviews contact:
Dr. Barry Traill, The Wilderness Society 0427 261885
Environment Centre Northern Territory 08 8981 1984
Email: ecnt@octa4.net.au

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