Beautiful one day, gas land the next

A report released by the federal Minister for Tourism Martin Ferguson last week says that the Northern Rivers economy is one of the most tourism-dependent regional economies in the country. But despite this reliance on a notoriously fickle industry, the Minister appears unconcerned about the effects of the gas mining proposals in the region.

The Economic Importance of Tourism in Australia’s Regions report said the value of the tourism output to the Northern Rivers in 2007/08 was $1.2 billion, 6.1% of the overall output from the region, making it the 14th largest tourism earner and 20th most tourism-dependent region in Australia.

“Tourism is the lifeblood of many regional areas; it creates jobs where people live. Tourism is a source of employment in the Northern Rivers for many people including hospitality professionals, uni students, travellers, and older Australians looking for part-time employment,” Mr Ferguson said.

However Mr Ferguson, who is also the Minister for Resources and Energy, said despite no analysis having been done on the relationship between gas mining and tourism, he saw no apparent conflict with proposals for the rapidly expanding gas industry in the region.

“Mining and tourism can and do co-exist, in fact they have done for a long time, including in National Landscapes areas such as the Red Centre and the Great Ocean Road. The strength of our tourism sector requires economic growth in the broader economy, which is why economic development is important,” Mr Ferguson said in an emailed response to questions.

Mr Ferguson recently told the ABC that the government has “indicated a willingness to have further discussions with the LNG sector” regarding a price on carbon. However Mr Ferguson ruled out a special deal with gas mining companies regarding a carbon tax.

“The government is working to ensure Australia’s international competitiveness is maintained as we introduce a price on carbon, which includes appropriate transitional measures for Energy Intensive Trade Exposed Industries, such as LNG,” he said. “As I indicated, the government is taking a comprehensive approach to pricing carbon. That means the LNG sector, just like other sectors of the economy will be included... we expect a carbon price to drive investment in renewable and lower emission energy sources, however we need to ensure our exporting LNG industry remains internationally competitive.”

The Echo asked whether the Minister had any concerns about the growing land-use conflicts between land-owners, local government bodies, water authorities and the gas companies with exploration licences in the Northern Rivers.

“I have made my views on these issues very clear, including in my address to the industry’s APPEA (Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association) annual conference in Perth on Monday where I said:

‘...For new industries, such as the coal seam gas industry, additional efforts are needed by governments and by companies to ensure regulations are appropriate and procedures are effective. Effective consultation with local communities and land-owners is paramount.

Experience has shown that taking the time and making the effort to properly engage early in the project planning and development phase leads to better outcomes for all parties – for communities and companies alike.’

In answer to the question ‘Is the Minister aware that the World Wildlife Fund Australia is gravely concerned by the proposed gas processing plant near Curtis Island off Gladstone, Queensland, and the effects the dredging of 50,000,000 cubic metres of sand will have on seagrass beds and dugong habitat?’, Mr Ferguson answered:

“The APLNG, GLNG and QCLNG projects proposed for Curtis Island have all received environmental approval at both a State and Federal level following a rigorous assessment process. The Federal Environment Minister has placed a large number of additional conditions on all three projects, in additions to those already attached by the Queensland Government.”

Richmond MP Justine Elliot and Page MP Janelle Saffin were asked whether they were concerned about possible effects of the gas industry on tourism. Ms Saffin is on leave and could not be contacted. Ms Elliot passed the buck.

“I am supportive of environmentally sustainable and responsible economic development in our region which provides employment opportunities and benefits local communities. The regulation of coal seam gas mining is primarily the responsibility of state governments,” she said.