Mr WOOD - 2001-10-23
The extractive industry is important for the development of the Territory. There are already many areas set aside in the Darwin rural area. Recently, a petition of over 6000 people presented in this parliament, stated that they wanted the Darwin Harbour to become a national conservation park. The government has said it has concerns for the harbour, but extractive industry in the Ware Peninsula is destroying parts of that area. In fact, some of the mining goes to the very edge of the mangroves. Minister, will you stop extractive mining on the Ware Peninsular until we have a public inquiry as to what is going to happen with the Ware Peninsula and the Darwin Harbour?
ANSWER
I thank the member for Nelson for his question. The extractive industry is a significant part of the local mining industry in the Northern Territory, particularly around Darwin. With the urban spread of population over the last 10 years, this has put pressure on extractive mineral leases, and these extractive leases are, more and more, having an affect in terms of local urban communities.
I met with the Extractive Industries Association a couple of weeks ago, and agreed to have an ongoing dialogue with them in terms of ensuring that we can provide for our future infrastructure growth, in and around Darwin, in terms of materials for roads and other infrastructure developments that need to be quarried. Mindful of the planning issues regarding the Ware Peninsular, I have to say to the honourable member that I will take your question on notice and get back to the House with an answer, regarding the specific issues surrounding the peninsula at the moment.
ANSWER
I thank the member for Nelson for his question. The extractive industry is a significant part of the local mining industry in the Northern Territory, particularly around Darwin. With the urban spread of population over the last 10 years, this has put pressure on extractive mineral leases, and these extractive leases are, more and more, having an affect in terms of local urban communities.
I met with the Extractive Industries Association a couple of weeks ago, and agreed to have an ongoing dialogue with them in terms of ensuring that we can provide for our future infrastructure growth, in and around Darwin, in terms of materials for roads and other infrastructure developments that need to be quarried. Mindful of the planning issues regarding the Ware Peninsular, I have to say to the honourable member that I will take your question on notice and get back to the House with an answer, regarding the specific issues surrounding the peninsula at the moment.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016