Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 10
Division/Agency:	Approvals and Wildlife Division
Topic:	Broad-toothed Stag Beetle
Hansard Page ECITA:	72

Senator Brown asked:
Can you tell the committee what the status of the Broad-toothed Stag Beetle is, which is federally listed?

Answer/s:
The Broad-toothed Stag Beetle is listed as endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 11
Division/Agency:	Approvals and Wildlife Division
Topic:	Road into SW National Park at Cockle Creek, Tas
Hansard Page ECITA:	77

Senator Brown asked:
I do want to ask about a road into the Southwest National Park which I am told could occur as early as next week at Cockle Creek. Can the Minister inform us about that?  I am talking about the proposed tavern and car park facility in the Southwest National Park at Cockle Creek which was approved by your predecessor. I asked what the situation is as far as that proposal is concerned. Can you tell the committee?

Answer/s:
The Cockle Creek development was referred under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) in September 2001. A decision was made on 5 October 2001 that the development is not likely to have a significant impact on any of the matters protected by the EPBC Act and that approval by the Australian Government under the Act is therefore not required.

While the development is about 5 kilometres outside the boundary of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, it has been considered by the Tasmanian Government within the context of the World Heritage Management Plan (WHAMP). The Department understands that amendments to the WHAMP have included zoning the site as a Visitor Services Site and inclusion of new provisions to allow road access and development of infrastructure within the Tasmanian South West National Park. The development of road access is the responsibility of the Tasmanian Government and has not been referred under the EPBC Act.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 12
Division/Agency:	Approvals and Wildlife
Topic:	Nuclear Dump EIS
Hansard Page ECITA:	82

Senator Wong asked:
Just remind me how many people worked on the approval process for the EIS for the dump that is now being shelved.  I would be interested in knowing how many person hours, if you are able to assess that.

Answer:
Records of each officer’s hours on each of the many proposals that are dealt with under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 are not kept. However, the Department of the Environment and Heritage has estimated that project officers spent around 15 person months on the task with additional people involved for short periods at key points. In addition consultant specialists were contracted to give advice on particular aspects of the proposal such as hydrogeology, quantitative risk assessment and likely radioactivity levels.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 13
Division/Agency:	Approvals and Wildlife Division
Topic:	Ramsar referrals under the EPBC Act
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written QoN

Senator Wong asked:
How many referrals have been received under the EPBC Act in relation to Ramsar listed wetlands?  Why does the Department believe that so few referrals have been received?

Answer/s:
According to statistics held by the Department, there have been about 320 referrals made under the EPBC Act where the potential for significant impact on a Ramsar listed wetland has been a consideration. This is out of about 1500 referrals made since the EPBC Act commenced in July 2000. 

The Department has no reason to believe that there is an unacceptable level of non-compliance in relation to Ramsar issues.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 14
Division/Agency:	Approvals and Wildlife Division
Topic:	Southport Lagoon
Hansard Page ECITA:	75 - 76

Senator Brown asked:
Proposed logging road across Southport Lagoon wildlife sanctuary. When is the sealing of the road going to occur?

Answer/s:
The road that passes through Southport Lagoon to provide access for logging on private land on the Northern Peninsula of Recherche Bay is not yet completed. The Department is not aware of a proposal to seal this road.