BBF taking Resources Minister and Environment Minister to court

BBF is taking legal action against the state and federal governments in an expensive bid to stop a mining company building a new tailings facility in the Tarkine rainforest.

THE Bob Brown Foundation is taking legal action against both the state and federal governments in a bid to stop toxic waste from MMG’s Rosebery mine being sent into a new tailings dam in the Tarkine rainforest.

The two pronged legal fight will cost about $500,000 and the BBF has launched its biggest fundraising campaign ever to cover it.

“We are at a huge disadvantage as a community group up against the financial might of one of the biggest mining companies in the world, controlled and owned overseas by a nation-state with zero interest in Tasmania’s environment and backed by state and federal governments,” BBF campaign manager Jenny Weber said.

BBF presser

“This legal action could be prevented if the Tarkine was declared a world heritage area. We are not trying to stop the Rosebery mine operating. We are just saying keep your waste on your side of the Pieman river and find another waste solution outside the rainforest.”

The BBF claims the government granted MMG a new mining lease over the access road into the rainforest to keep protesters out.

“Our legal advice is that in granting a mine lease that the company is not entitled to, the government has wrongly given MMG control of Helilog Rd into the rainforest to prevent citizens’ right to defend the forests,” Ms Weber said.

MMG protesters outside the Hobart Magistrates Court, Bob Brown Foundation campaign manager Jenny Weber. Picture: Chris Kidd

“We also claim that the federal government has wrongly overlooked the forest’s status as a feeding and breeding site for the Tasmanian Masked Owl which is vulnerable to extinction.”

Resources Minister Guy Barnett said it was disappointing that the foundation was choosing to take legal action with respect to the MMG Rosebery operation.

“The State considers the lease granted under the Mineral Resources Development Act 1995 is valid,” he said.

“As the matter is now subject to legal proceedings lodged by the BBF, it would not be appropriate to comment any further.”

Jenny Weber from The Bob Brown foundation speaks at a Tarkine protest at Henry Jones where Premier is speaking at TCCI luncheon. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

The mining company is proposing to build a new tailings dam near its Rosebery mine to store mining waste and prolong the life of the 85-year-old operation.

“MMG has several good options for a waste dump outside the Tarkine,” Ms Weber said.

Minister Ley’s office said it would not be legally appropriate to comment.