AUSTRALIA

Help Protect Daintree Rainforests

The Daintree Rainforests are again under threat. The Queensland Government is determined to connect substantial freehold (privately owned) rural/residential blocks with mains (grid) power electricity. This could lead to tenfold increase in the population of the sensitive area. According to concerned environemntalists, the connection of mains power north of the Daintree River will destroy the Daintree forever.

A State Government-initiated environmental impact approvals process has begun with the terms of reference for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) recently completed. Tenders are now out for a consultant to carry out the EIS.

The conservation movement in Far North Queensland does not need as EIS to see what this proposal will mean for the future of the Daintree rainforests. Massive subdivision land clearing from the connection of mains power can be expected. A potential tenfold increase in the permanent population of the region (now about 450), requiring substantial community infrastructure and residential development including schools, hospitals, roads, emergency services and retail outlets.

What we will see is the development of suburbia in one of the last largely intact coastal lowland rainforests left in Australia. There is no doubt that the connection of mains power north of the Daintree River will destroy the Daintree forever.

What You Can Do

We recommend that you link to the Daintree Rainforest Rescue website (visit our links page to get to it) for further information on this threat to the Daintree and what you can do about it.

Failing that, please write letters to:

Senator Robert Hill
Minister for the Environment
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia

A sample letter follows. Please use it as the basis for your oown letter.

Dear Senator Hill,

The Queensland Government's ill-conceived and irresponsible proposal to extend mains power north of the Daintree is the most serious threat yet to the last largely intact coastal rainforest ecosystem left in Australia.

If this proposal is allowed to proceed it will result in:

* a tenfold increase in the permanent population of the Daintree (from 450 to over 4,000), requiring substantial community infrastructure and residential development including schools, roads, bridges, emergency services and retail outlets;

* the devastation of the area's eco-tourism industry which currently contributes $30 million annually within the Daintree area and over $150 million annually to the north Queensland economy;

* the undermining of substantial Commonwealth and State Government expenditure on conseervation and tourism infrastructure -- most notably the $23 million Daintree Rescue Program;

* a significant failure to fulfill Australia's international obligations