As Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek deliberates on whether to grant Chinese government-owned miner MMG permission to dump 25 million cubic metres of toxic, heavy metals tailings waste into rainforest at McKimmie Creek in takayna / Tarkine, defenders have re-occupied the rainforest and established a tree village in the treetops.
“With a decision on preliminary works expected in the new year, we have started our preparations to defend the owls, devils and other wildlife that call this ecosystem home,” said Bob Brown Foundation takayna Campaigner Scott Jordan.
“Five tree sits have been established in the canopy and volunteers will be posting videos and photographs of what they experience from the top of the rainforest, while more volunteers will continue to collect data on species like the Masked Owl and Tasmanian Devil who rely on this rainforest habitat.”
“Due to the efforts of Bob Brown Foundation and the more than 1000 volunteers who have joined blockades on this site over the past two years, MMG is now 22 months behind schedule with no permits, no social licence and no way forward. They should abandon this destructive proposal for a rainforest tailings dam and commit to a 21st-century paste-fill solution that their industry contemporaries are adopting.”
“Until then, we will be here defending the forests.”
contact:
Scott Jordan
0428 300 324