A new Darwin port industrial center, which was proposed by the deputy prime minister, could have devastating effects on human health, according a Northern Territory government environmental report.
Barnaby Joyce, leader of the Nationals, announced Tuesday that $1.5 billion was being spent to transform Middle ArmPeninsula from a leading gas, hydrogen and minerals processing precinct into a world-leading export precinct.
The NT-led development proposal also includes a petrochemicals facility for plastic, pesticide, and fertiliser production.
According to the NT government this nationally significant infrastructure project is expected to create 20,000 jobs in the region and turbocharge the economy.
But an NT risk assessment released the same day says the hub could have “significant adverse impacts” on community health.
The report also revealed that air quality could be seriously affected in the area.
The Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct lies approximately 3km southwest Palmerston and 13km Southeast Darwin. Together, they have a population of approximately 160,000.
Water quality and soil quality can also be affected by erosion, leaks, discharge of wastewater, or spillage of hazardous materials.
Threatened species
The site is approximately the size of 750 AFL squares and could be affected by threatened species or sensitivevegetation.
The potential threats were identified in a Risk Assessment that the NT government was required submit as part of the environmental approvals process.
It also highlighted potential damage to marine ecosystems and the seabed during dredging operations, infrastructure construction, or shipping operations.
The NT’s greenhouse gas emissions targets would be stopped by the slated development.
The report concluded that dredging, clearing land, and shipping could have an impact on sacred sites of indigenous peoples.
Darwin’s existing port was controversially leased to Chinese company Landbridge for 99 years by the territory government in 2015.
Mr Joyce says the new project is vital for Australia’s strategic interests amid growing geopolitical tensions and will help develop Darwin into a gateway to the wealth of Southeast Asia.
The taxpayer funds were used to build port infrastructure, including a wharf or offloading facility.
Mr Joyce says it’s likely to lead to more than $16 billion in private sector investment.
The investment promise also includes $440million to build logistics hubs in Alice Springs, Katherine, and Tennant Creek and $200 million for the development of a rail spur.
Sussan Leey, Environment Minister, states that the commonwealth will continue to assess environmental impacts and identify areas of high importance.
“The Morrison government is committed to assessment and approval processes that protect the environment without creating unnecessary duplication and delay that can cost our economy millions of dollars and jobs,” she said.
Local activist group, Environment Centre NT, says the project is not sustainable andTerritorians don’t want toxic industries on their doorstep.
“It is outrageous that this plan is being called ‘sustainable development’ when it is really about Morrison government funding for the fossil fuel industry, that’s leading us to hotter temperatures and more extreme weather events,” campaign manager Jason Fowler said.
He also said that industrialization in Middle Arm is likely to cause the loss of mangroves as well as species such as turtles, dugongs, or dolphins.
The Middle Arm Peninsula already houses a liquefied petroleum gas hub, where the INPEX-led Darwin LNG (Santos-led) and Ichthys-led Ichthys LNG onshore processing facilities are located.
-AAP
