❓ A parliamentary question scrutinizes the proposed Browse LNG Precinct's potential environmental impact on monsoon vine thickets, a vulnerable ecological community, and seeks assurances regarding its protection and Aboriginal access to resources. The Minister defers to the EPA assessment process.
AnsweredQoN 3694Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the proposed Browse LNG Precinct, and ask -
(1) Is the Minister aware that under the current proposal 132.4ha of monsoon vine thicket would be cleared?
(2) If no to (1), what amount is to be cleared?
(3) If yes to (1), is the Minister aware that this ‘remnant rainforest’ is listed as a vulnerable threatened ecological community?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Is the Minister aware that the Premier has previously promised that the vegetation will be protected from the impacts of the proposed LNG Precinct?
(6) If yes to (5), given the Premier’s promise, how will the Minister protect the monsoon vine thicket?
(7) How will the Minister ensure thouroughfare and habitat connectivity for key mobile frugivores critical for maintaining health of the ecosystem?
(8) How will the Minister ensure that the populations of short range endemics are not compromised by habitat loss?
(9) Will the Minister ensure that Aboriginal people will continue to have access to bush foods and medicines uniquely supported by this ecosystem?
(10) Will the Minister give assurance that the drawdown of groundwater for use in the proposed gas plant will not affect this groundwater dependent ecosystem and the culturally significant water sources in the area?
(11) If no to (10), why not?
(12) How will the Minister ensure that the increase in traffic and weeds will not result in an increased incidence of fire in proximity to the monsoon vine thicket?
(1) Is the Minister aware that under the current proposal 132.4ha of monsoon vine thicket would be cleared?
(2) If no to (1), what amount is to be cleared?
(3) If yes to (1), is the Minister aware that this ‘remnant rainforest’ is listed as a vulnerable threatened ecological community?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Is the Minister aware that the Premier has previously promised that the vegetation will be protected from the impacts of the proposed LNG Precinct?
(6) If yes to (5), given the Premier’s promise, how will the Minister protect the monsoon vine thicket?
(7) How will the Minister ensure thouroughfare and habitat connectivity for key mobile frugivores critical for maintaining health of the ecosystem?
(8) How will the Minister ensure that the populations of short range endemics are not compromised by habitat loss?
(9) Will the Minister ensure that Aboriginal people will continue to have access to bush foods and medicines uniquely supported by this ecosystem?
(10) Will the Minister give assurance that the drawdown of groundwater for use in the proposed gas plant will not affect this groundwater dependent ecosystem and the culturally significant water sources in the area?
(11) If no to (10), why not?
(12) How will the Minister ensure that the increase in traffic and weeds will not result in an increased incidence of fire in proximity to the monsoon vine thicket?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 April 2011
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Environment
Response time
28 days
The Minister for Environment has provided the following response.
(1) Yes
(2) Not applicable.
(3) Yes
(4) Not applicable.
(5)-(12) Impacts on monsoon vine thickets will be considered as part of the Environmental Protection Authority's (EPA) strategic environmental assessment of the Browse LNG precinct under the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
. When the EPA completes its assessment, it will provide the Minister for Environment with a report and recommendations, and the Minister will set conditions that will apply to the project if it is approved. It is inappropriate for the Minister to comment further while the EPA's assessment is in progress, other than to say that the Government is committed to ensuring adequate conservation of monsoon vine thicket communities.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
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(1) Yes
(2) Not applicable.
(3) Yes
(4) Not applicable.
(5)-(12) Impacts on monsoon vine thickets will be considered as part of the Environmental Protection Authority's (EPA) strategic environmental assessment of the Browse LNG precinct under the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
. When the EPA completes its assessment, it will provide the Minister for Environment with a report and recommendations, and the Minister will set conditions that will apply to the project if it is approved. It is inappropriate for the Minister to comment further while the EPA's assessment is in progress, other than to say that the Government is committed to ensuring adequate conservation of monsoon vine thicket communities.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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