New laws for Cape favour development over nature

CAIRNS: Protected parts of Cape York could be open to mining and development within a year as the Newman Government sets a cracking pace to repeal Labor’s Wild Rivers laws.

A new plan for managing land on the Cape will be written and implemented by October 2013, favouring economic development over the current regime of environmental conservation.

The new laws would open the door for developers and mining companies on Cape York before the Federal Government could carry out its plans for a sweeping World Heritage listing over the vast far northern tip.

‘‘This enables people on the Cape to get on with opportunities, and the quicker we have that, the better,’’ Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney said.

While conservation groups backed former Labor governments for introducing the stringent laws, many Aboriginal groups and the new LNP Government blame Wild Rivers for restricting prosperity on the Cape.

‘‘Conservation groups have to understand that theirs is not the only point of view,’’ Mr Seeney said.

‘‘Up until now, their point of view was held to be more important than others and I can absolutely guarantee them that is not going to continue.’’

Mr S e e n e y wa s i n t h e f a r north yesterday for the first meeting of the Cape York regional planning committee.