Hinchinbrook: new evidence of disaster
By Tim Walgers
BRISBANE — Keith Williams' Port Hinchinbrook development is again under a cloud of controversy after reports last week that thousands of litres of acidic water have poured off the site into World Heritage-listed Hinchinbrook Channel.
Acid sulphate soils are formed in mangroves and tidal areas that contain iron sulphides. When exposed to air, the iron sulphides oxidise to produce sulphuric acid. The oxidation rate has been accelerated due to excavation.
During rainy periods, the acid and metals are swept into surrounding waters, killing fish and other marine life, as well as marine plants such as the seagrass upon which animals such as the endangered dugong depend.
According to conservation groups, even when the contaminated soil is dried out and reburied, it will still generate high amounts of acid. The Australian Conservation Foundation says: "Sewerage and water pipes and building foundations will also be corroded and destroyed. Port Hinchinbrook is a disaster, not only for the environment, but for the proposed resort and residential areas that should never be built there."
The federal environment minister, Senator Robert Hill, has put a management plan in place. However, along with other scientists from the CSIRO, Professor Ian White, who researched the report on the acid leakage, says that the plan is inadequate.
White states that some of the worst engineering practices are being carried out at Hinchinbrook, demonstrating the developers' complete lack of understanding of the problem. "If this was a mining operation or a chemical factory it would have been closed down immediately", he said.
Williams has been accused of breaching the deed of agreement by starting earthworks before the completion of a plan to manage acid sulphate soils. Williams, who has a history of threatening litigation against those who oppose his developments, has threatened to sue anyone who alleges he has breached the deed of agreement.
The federal government and an "independent" monitor, Professor Peter Saenger, are saying that the acid leakage is not an issue. Virginia Young from the Wilderness Society responded: "We are calling for a truly independent team of experts to immediately assess the problem; for work to immediately stop; and, no matter what the cost of fixing the problem, for that work to be undertaken before the wet season starts." The call has been supported by a coalition of environment groups.
An action will be held in Cardwell on December 14 to protest the presence of Queensland premier Rob Borbidge, who is visiting the area to support the sale of waterfront land needed for the development at Oyster Point. David Haigh from Friends of Hinchinbrook described Borbidge's support, against the wishes of the people of Queensland, as "a disgrace". Friends of Hinchinbrook is calling for supporters to travel to the action in Cardwell.
Another protest action, to coincide with the Cardwell protest, is being planned for Brisbane, and Friends of Hinchinbrook is encouraging others to organise actions and send faxes to the Prime Minister, Senator Hill and Premier Borbidge on December 14 or 15.
On site, direct actions occur every weekend. Legal action is also being pursued, with the case against Hill's consent for the development to be heard in the High Court next year. For more information about the campaign to save Hinchinbrook, phone the North Queensland Conservation Council on (077) 716226.