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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-07-28 Daily Xml
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ARKAROOLA WILDERNESS SANCTUARY

The Hon. R.B. SUCH (Fisher) (12:53): I move:

That this house opposes further mining exploration and mining in the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary.

Members are well aware that events have moved along, and I am delighted that the government has moved to ban further mining exploration and mining in Arkaroola and to extend the boundary of that sanctuary further as well.

I am more than happy to congratulate the government. I think that this is one of the best decisions that this government has made—probably the other good ones involve improving public transport. Arkaroola, the protection of it and the actual sanctuary itself, will be there long after all of us have disappeared off the face of this earth. It is a wonderful area. I was up there recently. I congratulate the Spriggs on being good custodians of that sanctuary.

In regard to the issue of uranium, I understand that CRA—which, at the time, was led by Mr Ian Gould who, I believe, is now the Chancellor of the University of South Australia—did a detailed analysis in that area and came to the conclusion that it was not viable to mine uranium in the rugged parts of the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary.

The reason is—and I am no geologist but I am told—that the uranium has leached out over time and is now to be found in the adjoining flat country, in the plains, and that is where Beverley uranium mine is successfully extracting uranium ore. I do not believe Marathon Resources has any real claim to compensation because I do not believe that the uranium in the area it wanted to mine is actually economic in terms of producing commercial quantities of uranium ore. I think the Premier has made clear that Marathon was given permission to explore but it was not given permission to mine.

The long and the short of it is: I am delighted that the government has made its decision and, as I say, long after we have all disappeared, Arkaroola will remain in its wonder and beauty; and I think future generations will applaud the decision of this government to ban mining exploration and mining in this beautiful area. If any members here have never been to that area and the Gammons, I urge them to do so because it is a wonderful area and will now be there forever.

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (12:56): I move to amend the motion, as follows:

Delete the word 'opposes' and insert 'congratulates the government for opting for action that will provide both immediate and long-term protection of the cultural, biodiversity and geographical values of Arkaroola rather than'

The new motion would thus read:

That this house congratulates the government for opting for action that will provide both immediate and long-term protection of the cultural, biodiversity and geographical values of Arkaroola rather than further mining exploration and mining in the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary.

I must compliment the member for Fisher for his original motion because it is certainly the position that I held, but I think we have got past the debate on that, and I was very impressed to hear of the decision that had been made and announced by the Premier.

I have had the opportunity over the years to visit the Arkaroola and outlying area many times, and I remember my first trip there, which was in the 1970s, when I was operating as a gopher for a number of artists who were painting in that area. It was a fantastic opportunity for me to be—

The Hon. R.B. Such interjecting:

The Hon. S.W. KEY: —no, not Sir Hans Heysen—part of that group and also have an appreciation of the area.

Most recently, the Natural Resources Committee of parliament also had the opportunity to visit Arkaroola. Our intention was to do extensive work with the arid land natural resource management people and staff and, because of bad weather, we ended up at Arkaroola. As a result of that, we had an opportunity to not only fly over the Arkaroola area in a helicopter but also, with the Spriggs, to go on a vehicle ride through that area. We had the opportunity to stay overnight and I even went on a bushwalk with the member for Torrens and the Hon. Russell Wortley through that area. It was a fantastic opportunity for us.

I also had discussions with representatives of the Adnyamathanha people, who explained to various members of the Natural Resources Committee how important this area is to them. As traditional owners, I am sure they will be extremely pleased by the government's decision to provide both immediate and permanent protection for Arkaroola. I wish to commend the government for this action and urge the house to support my amended motion.

Debate adjourned on motion of Mrs Geraghty.


[Sitting suspended from 13:00 to 14:00]


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