16 March 2012 - Impacts
on the Great Barrier Reef will be considered
as part of an Australian Government assessment
of whether or not Rio Tinto Weipa Pty Ltd’s
proposed South of Embley Bauxite Mine and
Port Development in Queensland can progress
under national environment law.
Environment Minister
Tony Burke said after considering significant
new information, he had determined that
the assessment process should include the
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, World Heritage
properties and National Heritage Places.
In September 2010, Rio
Tinto Weipa Pty Ltd submitted a proposal
for federal assessment under the Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation
Act 1999 to extend its existing bauxite
mining operations south of the Embley River
near Weipa on western Cape York.
The proposal for bauxite
mining includes construction and operation
of two new bauxite processing plants and
infrastructure associated with the mining
operations.
In October 2010, it
was determined the proposal had the potential
to trigger the EPBC Act and would need full
federal environmental assessment.
“Following a request
to reconsider the decision on the basis
of new information about proposed shipping
activities in the Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park, I have revoked the original referral
decision and substituted it with one that
takes the reef into account,” Mr Burke said.
“The Great Barrier Reef is one of our most
significant environmental assets and has
been recognised as among the world’s healthiest
coral reef ecosystems and best managed marine
areas.
“These new provisions
will ensure we continue our commitment to
sustainable development that ensures the
outstanding universal value of the Great
Barrier Reef is protected.”
The decision is based
on significant new information in Rio Tinto
Weipa Pty Ltd’s draft environmental impact
statement, which was provided by the company
during the assessment process.
The draft environmental impact statement
included information on shipping in the
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park not provided
with the initial referral.
The EPBC Act allows
for new information to be adopted during
a federal assessment process and in this
instance provides an opportunity for new
shipping information to be taken into account.
“I have made clear that
I want potential shipping movements in the
Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area to
be taken into account for all relevant decisions,”
Mr Burke said.
“The reconsideration
decision means the significant new information
provided about shipping can be fully taken
into account to ensure the protection of
the Great Barrier Reef before the proposal
is assessed.”
As part of this process the public comments
on the reconsideration request were considered.
+ More
The Australian Government
Welcomes the Withdrawal of the Japanese
Whaling Fleet
09 March 2012 - The
Australian Government welcomes Japan's decision
to recall its whaling fleet from the Southern
Ocean.
Australia condemns all commercial whaling,
including Japan's so called "scientific"
whaling program.
Japan's whaling activities are contrary
to international law. That is why Australia
commenced and will continue legal action
in the International Court of Justice. New
Zealand has announced its intention to intervene
in support of Australia's case. Our efforts
are aimed at ending Southern Ocean whaling
for good.
The Australian Government has and will continue
to call on all parties to exercise restraint
and to ensure that safety of human life
at sea is the highest priority. With the
Japanese fleet returning home, Australia
will continue its efforts to achieve a permanent
end to whaling in a calm and measured manner,
through the International Court of Justice.
