States peak environment body welcomes agreement between the SA Government and BHP to protect underground oasis
The Conservation Council of South Australia today congratulated the SA Government for facilitating an Agreement with BHP Billiton to protect the Great Artesian Basin from any increased water extraction for the future needs of the Roxby uranium mine.
"We are very pleased that the GAB will be protected from increased exploitation by the mining operations. This is particularly important for the fragile GAB springs, which are recognised as threatened under Federal laws, and which have been the subject of a long campaign for World Heritage listing", said Michelle Grady, CEO of the Conservation Council of South Australia.
"This is a testament to one of the longest running environment campaigns in Australia, with thousands of South Australians making their voices heard on the need to protect this fossil water body and the fragile ecology which depends on it.
"The highest and most accountable environmental standards must now apply, both to the proposed desalination plant and to the expansion of the mine itself.
"The desal plant must be powered by nothing less than 100% renewable energy - there must be no further burden placed on SAs energy supply or its greenhouse emissions load. The very salty waste water that will be produced by the plant must not compromise the already stressed and hyper saline Upper Spencer Gulf which is increasingly being recognised for its environmental importance.
"Further, the Roxby expansion must be subject to the environment and development laws that all other industry must adhere to in this State. The longstanding Indenture that exempts Roxby from a range of environment laws should be repealed by the SA Government. The worlds largest mining company should welcome the opportunity to prove themselves against the most rigorous and defensible environmental standards.
"This is a very important environmental outcome for South Australia. And it represents the fulfilment by the SA Government of one of the key policy asks in the Conservation Councils Environment Charter for the coming election*", concluded Ms Grady.
Further comment:
Michelle Grady, CEO, Conservation Council of SA 0417 879 439
* The Environment Charter can be found on the CCSA home page: www.ccsa.asn.au
