A bill to ban mining in Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary in outback South Australia has passed the SA Parliament’s Upper House.
The Greens succeeded in making changes, including a requirement for traditional owners to be consulted over management.
The bill now goes back to the House of Assembly.
Former premier Mike Rann announced last year the Government wanted to protect remote Arkaroola from mining, a plan which was met with legal action.
Explorer Marathon Resources wanted a judicial review but recently settled with the Government and was promised $5 million compensation.
Greens leader Mark Parnell is pleased the near-pristine wilderness area will finally be protected for all time.
“The important thing about this legislation passing through the Parliament is if future generations want to undo the good work that we’ve done they will have to bring it back to Parliament,” he said.
“This is the highest level of protection that the Parliament can offer and this is a good day for South Australia.”
SA Environment Minister Paul Caica says the bill should be through the Lower House again by the end of the week.
“The final passage of the legislation will give a defined 62,600-hectare area, known as the Arkaroola Protection Area, the highest form of protection and put in place a management planning framework to guide the future conservation of its natural and cultural values and its ongoing accessibility for visitors and scientific research,” he said in a statement.
“The Arkaroola Protection Area will meet international and national standards for what is defined as a protected area and ensure all forms of mining, mineral exploration and grazing are banned.”
