The Greens have accused Environment Minister Roger Jaensch of failing to sufficiently answer questions about the potential impacts the Northern prison project could have on the endangered wedge-tailed eagle.
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It comes after the Justice Department was forced to postpone exploratory drilling works at the Brushy Rivulet site, following advice from the federal government.
There is a wedge-tailed eagle nest in the vicinity of the site, which has sparked concerns from local residents and environmentalists.
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In State Parliament yesterday, Franklin Greens MHA Rosalie Woodruff asked Mr Jaensch to explain the nature of the assessment the Parks and Wildlife Service had undertaken before approving the drilling works.
"Was it a [reserve activity assessment] and, if so, will you make that assessment publicly available?" she asked. "Will you be referring this prison development or any works to the federal government for assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act?"
Mr Jaensch said PWS had issued a written works authority allowing the works to proceed and that it included a condition requiring drilling to be undertaken outside the 500-metre buffer distance from the eagle nest.
"I am advised that the authority was granted based on advice provided by [an] independent environmental consultant and included the consideration of potential impacts to threatened species," he said. "I am also advised by my department that the works required no approvals pursuant to the Threatened Species Protection Act 1995."
Dr Woodruff wasn't satisfied with the minister's answers, saying he'd "abandoned his responsibility for protecting this beautiful endangered species".
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