Hinchinbrook:
A dirty development in Queensland

A Federal Senate inquiry has confirmed that the controversial Port 
Hinchinbrook resort development has significant potential to damage the 
flora and fauna of pristine and beautiful adjacent landscape, which 
includes the Hinchinbrook Channel and the Hinchinbrook Island National Park 
adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef. The locality is home to rare and 
fascinating wildlife, including Queensland's world-famous but dwindling 
dugong population, which is at particular risk from the development.

The report also noted that the developer, Keith Williams, had managed to 
avoid scientific scrutiny in regard to the project's impact on the local 
environment.

The report's findings are no news to environmentalists and others who have 
criticised the development since its inception several years ago.

A major area of concern has always been the handling of acid sulphate soils 
in the course of the project.

An acid sulphate management plan prepared as a condition for development 
approval was criticised by scientists as inadequate, but even this has 
apparently not been complied with during works carried out to date.

Despite consistent criticism, the project has received the support of 
governments at both the State and Federal level.

A government report, the Hinchinbrook Management Plan, is believed to have 
major implications in relation to the resort development. However, the 
report, which was prepared 13 years ago, has still not been released!

Democrats environment spokesperson Senator Andrew Bartlett said that the 
report confirmed the view of opponents of the development, i.e. that it 
should never have proceeded.

According to the chairperson of the Senate Environment References 
Committee, Democrat Senator Lyn Allison, the developer may be in breach of 
the Deed of Agreement under which the project was allowed to proceed.

Senator Allison noted that: "This was a real estate subdivision, not a 
tourist development with substantial employment benefits for the (local) 
community."

The Senate report into the Hinchinbrook development made a number of 
significant recommendations, including the following:

* stronger environmental impact assessments prior to developments, with 
consultants selected by planning authorities rather than developers;

* further research on acid sulphate soils and the development of management 
plans;

* further research into the environmental effects of aquaculture on the 
Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, and that no new aquaculture permits 
be issued in the area;

* the banning of effluent discharge into the World Heritage area; and 

* a review of the use of gill nets in areas frequented by dugongs in the 
southern Great Barrier Reef region.

Senator Bartlet commented: "A person caught littering would face a fine, 
but a multi-million dollar development has been allowed to proceed and 
appears to have avoided complying with all but the most minimal 
environmental protection standards.

"If Mr Williams is in breach of the Deed of Agreement, the Commonwealth 
must now ensure he complies and take steps to remedy any breach."

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