[Greens-Media] PARNELL: Over 80% support for Arkaroola mining ban

[Parnell]

Media Release
Thursday 13th May 2010


Over 80% support for Arkaroola mining ban

Greens MLC Mark Parnell has again called on the Rann Government to permanently ban mining from the iconic Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, as the public submissions on the Government's mining plan for the region are finally published online.

Although not all of the 450 submissions are currently available, the Greens have obtained under Freedom of Information a summary prepared by the Environment Department that shows that less than 1% of respondents fully support the Government's 'Seeking a Balance' plan, and over 82% want less mining.

"The results of the Government's public consultation on their mining plans for the Arkaroola Wilderness sanctuary could not be more clear," said Greens MLC Mark Parnell.

"Over 80% of the 450 people and organisations who made submissions on the future of Arkaroola strongly oppose the Government's mining plans.

"The Government has no choice but to accept that they got it wrong.

"The SA Museum and other academics, scientists, business operators and even mining companies are all saying Arkaroola is too precious to mine," he said.

When Premier Rann released the 'Seeking a Balance' plan in October 2009 he declared: "areas with particularly high conservation and tourism significance will be zoned (so) that no access for exploration or resource development will be allowed".

Yet many submissions questioned why even Sillers Lookout, arguably the most famous and iconic tourist landmark in the Northern Flinders Ranges, has been given no protection from mining activity.

"It's clear from the concern raised by experts that the Government's plan does not protect crucial ecological, tourist and geological features of one of South Australia's jewels," said Mr Parnell.

"It's time for the Rann Government to listen to the hundreds of concerned scientists, geologists and tourist operators who have taken the time to respond to their Plan and ban mining for good from Arkaroola," he said.



For further comment contact Mark Parnell 0439 215 937




The information in this e-mail may be confidential and/or legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, access to it is unauthorised and any disclosure, copying, distribution or action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it is prohibited and may be unlawful