Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary
08/06/2011
The Hon. K.L. VINCENT (16:53): I rise very briefly to support the honourable member’s motion. The Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary is located 600 kilometres north of Adelaide in the beautiful Flinders Ranges, as we all know. Whilst I have seen pictures of this majestic place, I am sorry to say that I am yet to visit it. However, one only needs to look at the pictures and to read the stories of those who have visited to understand that it is indeed an amazing place. In fact, people come from far and wide to experience its rugged beauty. this area is not only a beautiful place but also a unique area, which is home to 700 million-year old fossils and endangered species, such as the yellow-footed rock wallaby and something else I do not know how to pronounce.
Moving on, because this is politics, I am concerned at what the Hon. Mr Parnell has told us about Marathon’s submission to the government’s ‘Seeking a balance’ report and, in particular, its assertion that there is nothing particularly special about the Northern Flinders Ranges that requires intervention, although I must say that I am not particularly surprised in view of its illegal dumping of waste in the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary.
While the Premier told the parliament in February this year that he recognised the unique and sensitive environmental, cultural and heritage values of Arkaroola and found its beauty to be compelling, I am nonetheless concerned that the government’s unashamedly pro-mining and pro-jobs attitude may well gazump the innate value of this beautiful place. I truly hope that I am wrong.
It is now almost 14 months since the initial discovery of illegal waste disposal and what is described in the motion as ‘vandalism’ by Marathon Resources in the Arkaroola area. The government has had ample time to consult with parties and to weigh up the pros and cons and to develop a strategy, so I agree that it is high time that this government guaranteed the permanent protection of what the Hon. Mr Parnell so aptly describes as ‘the iconic and majestic mountains of Arkaroola’. I support the motion.
