The Hinchinbrook Channel Inquiry

September 1999

View the report as a single document - (PDF 1717KB)

View the report as separate downloadable parts:


Membership of the Committee	(PDF 41KB)
Terms of Reference

Abbreviations	(PDF 32KB)

Recommendations	(PDF 25KB)

Chair's Foreword	(PDF 27KB)

Chapter 1 - Overview	(PDF 50KB)
Conduct of the inquiry Overview of submissions Controversial character of the Port Hinchinbrook development Overview of issues

Chapter 2 - Description of Port Hinchinbrook	(PDF 84KB)
Brief description of Port Hinchinbrook History of the development Tekin development 1980s Cardwell Properties development proposal 1993-4 May 1994: the Queensland government’s Environmental Review Report September 1994: the Deed of Agreement November 1994: Senator Faulkner’s proclamations halt work 1996: reconsideration by the new Commonwealth government

Chapter 3 - Discussion of Port Hinchinbrook approval processes	(PDF 186KB)
The Tekin period The Queensland government’s 1994 approval The Deed of Agreement Senator Faulkner’s proclamations Senator Hill’s 1996 consent The Friends of Hinchinbrook Federal Court challenge Changes to the development Size of the development site Application to rezone parts of ‘the Land’ to Special Facilities Claimed change from ‘integrated resort’ to ‘real-estate development’ How to handle changes to development proposals? Where a development needs a number of permits Conclusions on Port Hinchinbrook approval processes

Chapter 4 - Environmental impacts of Port Hinchinbrook	(PDF 208KB)
Impacts of acid sulfate soil The Acid Sulfate Management Plan Evidence on acid leachate Evidence on environmental harm from acid leachate Comment Impacts on seagrass and dugongs Background Impacts on seagrass Impacts on dugongs Impacts on other species Aesthetic impacts on the wilderness area Impacts of increased tourism Conclusions on environmental impacts of Port Hinchinbrook

Chapter 5 - Other issues	(PDF 223KB)
Social and economic effects of Port Hinchinbrook on Cardwell Infrastructure needs of the development Economic viability of the development Other environmental issues for the Hinchinbrook Region Aquaculture Cane farming Dungeness marina proposal The role of science in this type of debate Claimed intimidation of scientists Some general questions How to ensure independent environmental assessment The right balance between environment and development Local interests versus national interests The Regional Coastal Management Plan The Hinchinbrook Island National Park Management Plan Ecotourism World Heritage management of the Great Barrier Reef

Chapter 6 - Conclusions	(PDF 27KB)
Unsatisfactory environmental assessment procedures at Port Hinchinbrook Need for upfront environmental impact assessment Need for transparent rules for public input Need for regional planning Conclusion

Figures	(PDF 16KB)

Appendix 1 - Submissions	(PDF 49KB)

Appendix 2 - Witnesses at hearings	(PDF 29KB)

Appendix 3 - Documents tabled at hearings	(PDF 31KB)

Appendix 4 - Further information	(PDF 272KB)

Appendix 5 - Letter of agreement 1993	(PDF 13KB)

Appendix 6 - Acid sulfate soils	(PDF 18KB)

Bibliography & References	(PDF 23KB)

ALP Senators' Minority Report	(PDF 23KB)

Government Senators' Report	(PDF 66KB)

For further information, contact:

Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Environment, Communications and the Arts
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia

Phone: +61 2 6277 3526

Fax: +61 2 6277 5818

Email: ecita.sen@aph.gov.au

Phone:	+61 2 6277 3526
Fax:	+61 2 6277 5818
Email:	ecita.sen@aph.gov.au