Controversial Land Use Projects
The following is a list of controversial development projects due to concerns of environmental effects. This list includes projects required to submit an Environmental Effects Statement.
| Project/Area affected | Activity | State | Began | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British nuclear tests at Maralinga | Nuclear testing | South Australia | 1955–1963 | Massive radioactive contamination. Continual cleanup operations. Long-term health effects on the traditional Aboriginal owners of the land and former personnel. |
| Uranium mining in Australia | Uranium mining | 1980- | Possible contamination of land with radioactive mine tailings. Ranger mine contained within Kakadu National Park. | |
| Franklin Dam | Damming | Tasmania | 1983 | Damming of forested area, watercourse damage, reduced water flow. Catalyst for the foundation of the Australian Greens. |
| Yarra Valley | Logging | Victoria | 1993- | Deforestation. Threatening of a major water catchment. Threatening the endangered Leadbeater's Possum. |
| Tiwi Islands | Deforestation and woodchipping | Northern Territory | 2001 | Deforestation approved by the Howard government. Operators significantly breached environmental laws resulting in excessive irreparable land clearing. |
| Nowingi toxic waste proposal | Toxic waste | Victoria | 2004 | Toxic waste disposal plant. Threat to surrounding settlements, Murray River and environment. |
| Bell Bay Pulp Mill | Logging | Tasmania | (proposed) 2006 | Deforestation. Threatening of old growth forests in the Tamar Valley. Claims effluent could harm of Bass Strait marine life. |
| Styx Valley | Logging and woodchipping | Tasmania | 2006 | Deforestation. Destruction of old growth forests. |
| Wonthaggi desalination plant | Desalination | Victoria | 2007 (under construction) | Uneconomic. Pollution of the Bass Coast. Accusations of government/private entity corruption. Lack of consultation with community. No justification for perceived requirement. Insufficient initial assessment. Insufficient EES. |
| Port Phillip Channel Deepening Project | Dredging | Victoria | 2008- | Dredging in heavy metal-laiden shipping ports posed contamination concerns. Destruction of marine environments. Catalyst for the foundation of the Blue Wedges community group. |
| Oyster Point | Land use | Queensland | ||
| Magellan Metals | Lead poisoning |
Read more about this topic: Environmental Issues In Australia
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