Triton
29-05-2008, 01:17:AM
Irwin says Cape York mine study too short
Posted Thu May 22, 2008 11:06am AEST
Map: Weipa 4874 (http://www.abc.net.au/news/maps/map.htm?lat=-12.625&long=141.8777&caption=Weipa%204874)
Terri Irwin says a 21-day environmental study by a company proposing to mine part of the planned Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve on Cape York, in far north Queensland, is not thorough enough.
The Land Court has granted an injunction preventing Ms Irwin from locking out five scientists working for bauxite mining company Cape Alumina.
Ms Irwin says 21 days is not long enough to determine the impact mining would have on the 12,000 hectare site.
"I think to do justice it would take a minimum of at least a year to show the complete annual cycle of flora and fauna on the property, to be able to determine things that move in and out, different plants that flower and fruit, and the effects on the biodiversity," she said.
"Particularly with the perched springs that they're planning on destroying."
A further Land Court hearing to decide whether Cape Alumina can proceed with mining exploration will be held in Brisbane next week.
Posted Thu May 22, 2008 11:06am AEST
Map: Weipa 4874 (http://www.abc.net.au/news/maps/map.htm?lat=-12.625&long=141.8777&caption=Weipa%204874)
Terri Irwin says a 21-day environmental study by a company proposing to mine part of the planned Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve on Cape York, in far north Queensland, is not thorough enough.
The Land Court has granted an injunction preventing Ms Irwin from locking out five scientists working for bauxite mining company Cape Alumina.
Ms Irwin says 21 days is not long enough to determine the impact mining would have on the 12,000 hectare site.
"I think to do justice it would take a minimum of at least a year to show the complete annual cycle of flora and fauna on the property, to be able to determine things that move in and out, different plants that flower and fruit, and the effects on the biodiversity," she said.
"Particularly with the perched springs that they're planning on destroying."
A further Land Court hearing to decide whether Cape Alumina can proceed with mining exploration will be held in Brisbane next week.