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17 February 2010

Newsletter#18

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18 September 2009

Newsletter#17

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29 July 2009

Newsletter#16

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15 April 2009

Newsletter#15

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3 December 2008

GOVERNMENT MUST LISTEN TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AUTHORITY ADVICE

Media

5 August 2008

Newsletter#14

e-Newsletter

23 July 2008

PRISTINE EXMOUTH GULF’S FUTURE MORE CERTAIN
FOLLOWING EPA DECISION ON SALT MINE

Media

23 July 2008

Newsletter#13

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21 July 2008

Newsletter#12

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14 July 2008

Newsletter#11

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28 June 2008

Newsletter#10

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18 April 2008

Newsletter#9

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14 December 2007

Newsletter#8

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13 October 2007

Newsletter#7

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23 June 2007

Newsletter#6

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14 April 2007

Newsletter#5

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19 March 2007

Newsletter#4

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28 March 2007

Straits Salt has a chop at HtS On-line Submissions

News

16 March 2007

Stateline covers the Debate. Transcript link in new window

News

12 March 2007

ALLIANCE ATTRACTS MASSIVE SUPPORT TO STOP SALT MINE

Media

3 March 2007

Newsletter#3

e-Newsletter

27 February 2007

Exmouth industries worth $165 million annually threatened by proposed salt mine

Media

14 February 2007

Newsletter#2

e-Newsletter

2 February 2007

LEADING EXPERTS TO COMMENT ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE YANNARIE SOLAR (SALT) PROJECT

Media

2 February 2007

The Environmental Protection Authority and Straits Resources have bowed to public pressure ..

News

19 January 2007

Environmental Impacts of the Yannarie Solar (Salt) Project - open forum 5 Feb. 2007

News

12 January 2007

Newsletter#1

e-Newsletter

2 January 2007

Alliance protests at unreasonable public consultation arrangements imposed by the EPA

News

2 January 2007

Fatal flaws uncovered in plans to mine sensitive Exmouth Gulf area

Media

5 December 2006

Public urged to oppose plans to mine sensitive Exmouth Gulf area

Media

24 December 2006

EPA consultation period badly inadequate!

Latest News

23 December 2006

The EPA has released Straits Salt's ERMP

Latest News

25 October 2005

Halt the salt campaign launched in Exmouth

News

22 October 2005

Giant Salt Mine Proposal Creates Unique Alliance

Media

 

MEDIA release

Wednesday, 3 December 2008


GOVERNMENT MUST LISTEN TO
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AUTHORITY ADVICE

Halt the Salt, an alliance of peak commercial and recreational fishing interests and conservation groups, has today called on the Barnett Government to heed formal advice from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and reject a proposed salt mine that would have a negative impact on the fragile ecosystem of the eastern Exmouth Gulf.

In July this year the EPA categorically rejected the proposal to build a salt mine, taking the unprecedented step of not offering any conditions under which it could proceed. The Environmental Appeals Convenor is also due to provide advice to Environment Minister Donna Faragher later this month on the proponent’s appeal against the EPA’s decision.

Alliance spokesman and Conservation Council of WA Director Piers Verstegen said the EPA's opinion had been backed by a range of government and scientific departments and individual experts including the Department of Environment and Conservation, the Department of Fisheries, the Marine Parks and Reserves Authority and Tourism Western Australia (summary attached).

“This pending decision is a test case for the new State Government. It would be environmental vandalism for the government to make one of its first decisions under the Environmental Protection Act by going against the EPA’s findings and allowing this project to go ahead,” Mr Verstegen said.

A petition containing 2,087 signatures opposing the salt mine will be tabled in State Parliament this week. Initiated in Exmouth by the Cape Conservation Group and MG Kailis with support from the Halt the Salt Alliance, the petition is supported by 4,504 letters of concern sent to the EPA and to the Premier.

Compliance and Projects Manager at MG Kailis, Stephen Hood said the salt mine would have a huge impact on the local tourism, pearling and prawning industries.

“These local industries are collectively worth $165 million every year to the State’s economy, and each one relies on the Exmouth Gulf remaining pristine and sustainable. Environmental damage to the area would have a ripple effect on related industries and communities,” Mr Hood said.

The proposed salt mine also threatens humpback whales (who migrate to the area each year to nurse their young and rest), dugongs and sea turtles as well as the many fish and birds who live and breed in the area.

Recfishwest Policy Officer Kane Moyle said the salt mine would be located in the immediate vicinity of a wetland of national significance and arid zone mangroves, both of which have been listed as two of WA’s most important environmental assets.

“The project could result in a toxic by-product, known as “bitterns”, seeping into the local environment. An excavated inland harbour and other infrastructure will expose the area to sulphides that could destroy mangrove and algal mat habitat,” Mr Moyle said.

“In addition, a massive retaining wall proposed along the salt mine would divert water flow away from the area, starving the Exmouth Gulf ecosystems of vital nutrients. This would impact particularly on mangroves and seagrass meadows, which are breeding grounds for local fish.”

Mr Verstegen has grave concerns that the Barnett Government may be prepared to ignore the EPA's advice and allow the development to occur at any cost to the environment.

“We are urging everybody concerned about the potential negative impacts on our pristine North West coastal environment to go to the Halt the Salt website and make a formal submission to the government against the proposal,” he said.

Further information is available from www.haltthesalt.org.au.

(Ends)

Media contact: Piers Verstegen on 0411 557 892.

 

 

 


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