NT Election - put an end to destructive land clearing

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The people of the Northern Territory will go to the polls to elect a new Government on Saturday 9 August.

During the course of the Northern Territory election campaign, The Wilderness Society is running an advertising campaign, calling on all the political parties to pledge to protect the Territory’s forests, woodlands and rivers from destructive land clearing.

Nature is in abundance in the Northern Territory. It is a stronghold of tropical forests and woodlands which provide a safe haven for Australia’s unique wildlife and is home to 40 wild and free flowing rivers.

The Territory’s environment is still healthy and vibrant and, in contrast to southern Australia, hasn’t been mismanaged and destroyed.

Today, the future of the Territory’s stunning natural environment is threatened by land clearing.

Land clearing destroys forests and woodlands, kills wildlife and damages the health of rivers and fisheries.

Since 2002, the Territory Government has approved 70 000 hectares of land for clearing (35 000 MCG’s/football fields).

On the Tiwi Island’s (link to Tiwi islands article) alone, 30 000 hectares of forests have already been cleared with another 70 000 hectares proposed to be destroyed. If this clearing occurs, 1/10 of the entire land area of the Tiwi Islands will have been cleared.

All other states now have laws that stop or dramatically reduce land clearing.

On election day, the people and Government of the Territory have the opportunity to pursue economic development and a way of life that doesn’t destroy nature.

  Download '2008 NT Election Report Card' (PDF 672 KB)

Learn more:

• Watch The Wilderness Society 2008  Election Ad - 'End Land Clearing in the Northern Territory'
• Read article 'A plea to stop Tiwi Island land clearing'