The cards ask the company to accept 7,000 submissions emailed to them from the public concerning Hancock Coal’s proposed coal terminal.
Greenpeace Senior Climate and Energy Campaigner Georgina Woods said, “This is a reckless proposal to build a new 60 million tonne coal terminal in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and comes just weeks after the World Heritage Committee recommended that no new port development be approved that would impact on the outstanding universal values of the Reef”.
“This project could have a significant impact on the World Heritage values of the Great Barrier Reef, including on a Green turtle mating and nesting site and an extensive coastal wetland that is home to migratory birds and threatened species.”
In an out-dated move, the company had put the preliminary environmental assessment documentation for the project on public exhibition for six weeks, but had only sought comments via the post and was not willing to accept email submissions.
Georgina Woods continued, “Around 7,000 people took the time to express their views about this project, as is their right in an open democracy. Every company, whether they are Australian or transnational, must respect the right of the community to have their voices heard.
“We hope Environment Minister Tony Burke will heed the request of the World Heritage Committee not to permit development in the World Heritage Area that would impact on its outstanding universal values.”
Greenpeace Campaigner, Georgina Woods: 0437405932
Greenpeace Media Officer, Julie Macken: 0400 925 217
Photos available after 10am at: www.greenpeacemedia.org
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Brisbane, 27th July 2012: Greenpeace has spent the morning personally delivering around 7,000 calling cards from members of the public to Hancock Coal, a subsidiary of Indian conglomerate GVK, proponents of the proposed “T3” coal terminal at Abbot Point port in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.