VICTORIA Point bushcare volunteer Michael Dowers is on a mission to protect the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve and Wenlock River Basin in north Queensland from bauxite mining.
Mining company Cape Alumina has proposed building a bauxite mine near the Wenlock River and is finalising environmental studies to assess the impact of the mine on the area.
The proposed mine would also take in a portion of the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, which was purchased and renamed from Bertiehaugh Cattle Station by Irwin company Silverback Pty Ltd after the former crocodile hunter's death in 2006.
A petition by Terri Irwin, wife of the late Steve Irwin, to protect the area from mining was unsuccessful last year, with the Queensland Government saying it would wait for the results of Cape Alumina's Environmental Impact Statement.
Michael, who is the West Eprapah Bushcare Group convenor, felt, however, that any mining activity near the area would have a negative impact, so he established a page on social networking site Facebook to increase public awareness of the issue.
His concerns are backed by University of Queensland researcher Professor Craig Franklin, who said the Wenlock River was home to a number of endangered and critically endangered species.
"The biggest concern is that Cape Alumina has proposed to put a port facility at Port Musgrave," Professor Franklin said.
"We know the Wenlock River is the most productive system for crocodiles in Queensland and with that in mind, if there's dredging and disturbing of the river mouth, it could affect the dispersal of the crocodiles.
"Given that they're considered to be endangered, I'm concerned.
"The Wenlock is also home to the critically endangered sparetooth shark, and is home to more species of fish than any other river in Australia.
"We're talking about a unique system that will be affected by the building of a port and dredging and other mining activity.
"Bauxite mining and strip mining does affect the environment; it's just a matter of to what extent.
"No matter what rehabilitation is put in place, it will never be the same."
Michael said sites like Facebook had the proven capacity to quickly raise awareness of issues.
"I intend to build support through my Facebook page - STOP Anna Bligh and Cape Alumina Mining The Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve," he said.
"In 18 days the page gained 3180 followers and is growing.
"With this support I hope to influence the Queensland Government to deny mining rights to Cape Alumina and to protect pristine wilderness areas."
Michael said the initiative, along with an associated website, was a multifaceted approach that presented researched information about the environmental impacts of mining.
"I'm not saying let's close down all mines, but we need to take a balanced and objective and independent approach," he said.
Cape Alumina managing director Dr Paul Messenger said in January the company had no plans to mine any wetlands, rivers, springs or areas of high conservation value.
"The Wenlock River will be fully protected under our operational and environmental management plans," he said.
"The elevated dry stringybark country earmarked for shallow mining will be fully rehabilitated progressively throughout the life of the operation."
A Cape Alumina fact sheet says the mine would affect about 1.7 per cent of Bertiehaugh Station.
For more information about Michael's initiative, visit his website at www.savethewenloc k.com
People with a Facebook profile can log into www.facebook.com and type the following into the search bar: Stop Anna Bligh and Cape Alumina Mining the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve.
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