Development threatens to 'ruin' northern Australia
Updated
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) says time is running out to ensure development does not ruin northern Australia.
The conservation agency is one among several environmental, industry and government groups meeting in the northern city of Darwin today to explore future development in the region.
Spokesman Stuart Blanch says governments need a plan to ensure the demand for rural land and the rush for mining development does not come at the cost of the north's pristine environment.
"I'm not sure there's any square inch in the Northern Territory that does not have a mining tenement or mining exploration leases over it," he said.
"It's already happening and I don't think we're yet prepared. We do not have a cooperative approach by the Commonwealth, Queensland, Western Australia, Northern Territory governments to sustainably develop and conserve the north."
He also says Aboriginal communities can make good money be embracing carbon trading initiatives such as better fire management models, and says carbon trading is also a key issue for pastoralists.
"Many pastoralists are looking at how to make money out of keeping their land in good condition, to be paid for the ecosystem services they provide to the broader community, and two obvious ones are the carbon and water they look after on behalf of the broader community."
