False Cape resort in doubt
THE future of the controversial Reef Cove Resort development at False Cape has again been thrown into uncertainty with Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett suspending approval until the site has been cleaned up.
Mr Garrett yesterday ordered developer Reef Cove Resort Ltd to carry out an environmental audit and clean up the site to stop any run-off and erosion to protect the Great Barrier Reef
The suspension is for a year after which Mr Garrett can either extend it or revoke approval altogether.
The suspension, which follows an investigation into run-off and erosion after work stopped when the developer's financiers pulled out, comes only days after Reef Cove Ltd said it would be only a matter of weeks before a new finance package was in place and work resumed.
In a brief statement yesterday afternoon, Reef Cove chairman John Ewens expressed surprise at Mr Garrett's actions.
"We are very surprised at the action of the minister, and to our knowledge there are no outstanding requirements at present. We have referred the matter to our solicitors," Mr Ewens said.
Mr Garrett said his decision was the first time a federal environment minister had suspended a project's approval or directed an environmental audit under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
"Following a preliminary investigation by my department, I've decided to suspend approval of the False Cape project for a 12-month period because I am concerned about the threat of sediment run-off into the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area," Mr Garrett said.
Click here to see our False Cape picture gallery.
Cairns and Far North Environment Centre president Ellie Bock, while welcoming the announcement, said it did not take away the organisation's concerns.
"Our concerns are about the inappropriate nature of the development as a whole," Ms Bock said.
She said CAFNEC was still waiting on Cairns Regional Council to say if a bond had been lodged before the project started, and if so, where the bond money was.
Mr Garrett said he wanted remediation work to start immediately.
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Fix it up: Environment Minister Peter Garrett has ordered work to stop at False Cape, saying the controversial project will only get the go-ahead if the site is cleaned up.
The work so far: Photos taken by Steven Nowakowski, showing the work so far at the False Cape site.
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