h W U r ' S "  *

Issued b y :Â·

The Minister for the Interior The Minister for the Interior, Mr Ralph Hunt, said today the Environmental

Fact Finding Study of the Alligator Rivers Region of the Northern Territory is

now well'under way.

The Study, which will assist the Government in its review of prospecting

activity in the area at the end of 1975, encompasses a number of individual

aspects which are being undertaken independently b;r a number of organisationsÂ«

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, the

Australian Atomic Energy Commission, the Bureau of Mineral Resources and the

Forestry Section and Water Resources Branch of the Northern Territory AdminÂ­

istration are conducting most of the surveys. Â·  These are:

Wildlife

Entomology .

Land Evaluation

Climate

Hydrology

Water Quality

Geology

Landscape and Recreation  Resource Assessment

CSIRO

CSIRO

CSIRO .

CSIRO Ã¢ÂÂ   .

Water Resources Branch, NTA

Australian Atomic Energy Commission

Bureau of Mineral Resources

Forestry Section, NTA

Three other studies will begin in September/October. These are:

Aboriginal Art

Archaeology

Mr R. Edwards, of the South Australian  Ã¢ÂÂ   Museum

Mr H.R. Allen, Australian National  University

Freshwater Fish Inventory Mr S.H. Ilidgley

Mr Hunt said members of the Executive Committee, which was appointed, to

manage the Fact Finding Study, visited the Alligator Rivers Region with

members of the supporting Scientific and Technical Evaluation. Committee last

week to gain first-hand knowledge of the area. .

.2

The party visited the mining camps of Queensland Mines Pty Ltd at .

Nabarlek, Ranger Uranium Mines Fty Ltd at Jabiru, and Noranda Australia Ltd

near Nourlangie Rock. Ã¢ÂÂ   '

At Jabiru the party was able to inspect the temporary laboratory

established by the Australian Atomic Energy Commission Study Team which is

undertaking the water quality survey. Other areas visited included Deaf

Adder Gorge, Mt Brockman, Nourlangie Rock, Jim Jim Gorge and Woolwonga WildÂ­

life Sanctuary.

Mr Robert Edwards, Curator of Anthropology of the South Australian

Museum, who will undertake the Aboriginal Art survey, accompanied the.party.

: The Executive Committee comprises the chairman, Mr T.A. O'Brien, Deputy

Administrator of the Northern Territory, Messrs D. Woods and P. Riddell

representing the mining industry, Professor F.T. Fenner of the Australian

National University representing the Australian Conservation Foundation,

Mr C.S. Christian of CSIRO and Mr R.F. O'Donohue, Department of National

Development. 1  / '

Members of the Scientific and Technical Evaluation Committee are:

Mr J. Lake, Director, Forestry, Fisheries, Wildlife and Â· National Parks, NTA

Mr M. Lovely of Queensland Mines Pty Ltd

Mr G.A. Stewart, CSIRO .  Ã¢ÂÂ

Professor D.J. Mulvaney, Department of Pre-history, ANU

Mr D. Davy, Australian Atomic Energy Commission

Mr L.L. Gillespie, the Study Co-ordinator is an ex-officio member of

both Committees.

Meetings of the two committees were held during the visit to the Northern

Territory.

Mr Runt said that he expected the fact finding study to be completed by

September 1973, and the results should be available for consideration by the

Government before its review of prospecting activities within the proposed NT

national park area at the end of 1973Â·

1 September 1972

