Stop mining on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve

Eligibility - Queensland residents
Principal Petitioner:
Terri Irwin
Australia Zoo
Steve Irwin Way
Total Signatures - 4,662
Sponsoring Member: Carolyn Male MP
Posting Date: 10/6/2009
Closing Date: 25/11/2009
Tabled Date: 26/11/2009
Responded By: Hon Stephen Robertson MP on 24/12/2009
TO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland
The petition of the residents of the State of Queensland draws to the attention of the House that the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve (SIWR), a 135,000 hectare property in Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula, is being threatened by strip mining. The SIWR is a wetland conservation property and tribute to Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, and is home to a set of three important spring fed wetlands which provide a critical water source to threatened habitat, provide permanent flow of water to the Wenlock River, and is home to rare and vulnerable plants and wildlife. Cape Alumina Pty Ltd has lodged mining lease applications which include approximately 12,300 hectares of the SIWR. Cape Alumina company documents indicate an intention to mine 50 plus million tons of bauxite over a 10 year period commencing 2010. The proposed area for mining on the SIWR contains the head waters of irreplaceable waterways and unique biodiversity which will not recover after mining operations are finished. Your petitioners therefore request the House to ask the Minister for Mines and Energy to ensure that no mining applications are granted on any part of the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve (SIWR).