No open slather for mining companies

The Queensland Government has re-affirmed its commitment to protect important environmental areas in the face of ongoing debate over a decision to preserve the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve on Cape York Peninsula.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said the need to protect ecologically significant areas was today made clear to executives of mining company Cape Alumina, whose operations have been affected by the planned declaration of the reserve.

“The Newman Government has delivered on its promise to support growth in the resources pillar of the economy by implementing faster, more efficient approval processes and cutting unnecessary, costly delays in getting projects off the ground,” Mr Seeney said.

“The Coordinator-General made his 230th statutory decision recently, three times the number the previous government made in the same amount of time.

“There can be no question that the LNP Government understands that resource projects provide jobs and underpin economic growth in regional Queensland particularly.

“But mining companies need to understand that we have never advocated an ‘open slather’ approach to resource development and there are limits.

“Allowing mining in the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve would have taken us beyond those limits and damaged an important environmental area on the Cape.”

Mr Seeney refuted claims the State Government’s promise to protect the Wildlife Reserve came as a shock to mining companies and the community.

“We made it abundantly clear to all stakeholders on the Cape, including Cape Alumina, that the Statutory Regional Planning process was about protecting existing land uses and, in the case of the Nature Reserve, that meant maintaining the area as an environmental reserve, for all time,’ he said.

“Regional plans will provide greater certainty for all stakeholders, including resource operators, by clearly designating the areas available for development and those reserved for other purposes.”

Mr Seeney repeated that the draft Cape York Regional Plan released last week for public comment was developed in close consultation with the mayors of all Cape communities and key stakeholder groups.

“I encourage those with a genuine interest in creating a sustainable social, economic and environmental future for Cape York to see through the alarmist headlines, read the draft plan and make submissions by 25 March 2014,” he said.

[ENDS] 3 December 2013

Media Contact: Jane Paterson 0417 281 754 or Elizabeth Spry 0418 928 744