http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/petitions/e-petitions
Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House that the announcement of the 20 November 2013 that “Newman Government protects Steve Irwin Reserve on Cape York” should be reversed when taking into account all the facts.
The claims of this being a unique area, an exceptional piece of biodiversity and an ecologically significant part of Queensland have not been supported by scientific research.
This is NOT one of Queensland’s most environmentally significant areas. The vast majority of this reserve is typical Darwin Stringybark open forest found throughout Cape York. The proposed bauxite project by Cape Alumina was planning to mine just 1.5% of the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve (SIWR). An EIS was being completed and would have been the most comprehensive environmental study undertaken for this area and would have demonstrated that the mine could have co-existed with the SIWR.
We believe that the proposed ban on mining in the SIWR has not given full consideration to the following economic consequences to Queensland.
• Loss of $600 million in state royalties and payroll taxes
• Cost to the Queensland economy of $3 billion in economic activity
• Cost to the Australian economy of $500 million in lost Federal Government taxes
• Loss to the Traditional Owners of $375 million directly in royalties and employment
Many hundreds of indigenous jobs have been lost. Keep the pressure off the public purse and allow indigenous people to have meaningful jobs.
Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to ask the Premier to reverse his decision on this proposed mining ban and instead broker a WIN WIN outcome for all Queenslanders.