Alligator Rivers Region Technical Committee

The Alligator Rivers Region Technical Committee (ARRTC) was established in 1993 following amendments to the Environment Protection (Alligator Rivers Region) Act 1978 (EPARR Act). The membership and function of ARRTC was revised in 2001 to meet the recommendation of the Independent Science Panel (ISP) for an independent scientific advisory panel to review the research activities in the Alligator Rivers Region and the scientific basis for assessing mining operations.

Membership of ARRTC

ARRTC consists of seven independent scientists nominated by the Federation of Australian Scientists and Technological Societies (FASTS) for their expertise in specific fields.

ARRTC membership - independent scientists
Name		Field of Expertise
Mr Ray Evans	Sinclair Knight Mertz Pty Ltd	Hydrology and hydrogeology
Prof Peter Johnston	Director, Environmental and Radiation Health Branch, ARPANSA	Radiation protection and health physics
Dr Carl Grant	Research Scientist, Alcoa World Alumina Australia	Plant ecology of minesite revegetation
Dr Terry Hillman	Former Director, Murray-Darling Basin Freshwater Research Centre, Albury	Freshwater ecology
Dr Jenny Stauber	Deputy Chief, CSIRO Land and Water	Ecotoxicology
Prof Colin Woodroffe	School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Wollongong	Geomorphology
Dr Simon Barry	Stream Leader, Landscape Monitoring & Modelling, Mathematical and Information Sciences, CSIRO	Ecological Risk Assessment

The remaining six members represent key stakeholder organisations.

ARRTC membership - stakeholders
Name	Representing
Mr Alan Hughes	Supervising Scientist
Mr Russell Ball	Northern Territory Government - Department of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources
Ms Sharon Paulka	Uranium Equities Limited
Dr Anthony Milnes (EWL Sciences)	Energy Resources of Australia Ltd
Mr Howard Smith	Northern Land Council
Ms Anne-Marie Delahunt	Australian Government - Parks Australia Division
Dr Gavin Mudd	Environment Non Government Organisation

ARRTC is chaired by Mr Ray Evans.

Role of ARRTC

The Alligator Rivers Region Technical Committee (ARRTC) is constituted under Section 22 of the EPARR Act. The primary aim of the revised Committee is to ensure that the quality of the science used in the research into, and assessment of, the protection of the environment from the impact of uranium mining in the Alligator Rivers Region is of an appropriately high standard. This involves review of research activities by the Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist (eriss), the mine operator Energy Resources of Australia Ltd (ERA), and other organisations. It also involves review of the quality of the science used by the Office of the Supervising Scientist (oss) to examine and review proposals by ERA to alter its procedures and practices at each mine site. ARRTC will be able to report openly, independently and without restriction.

Terms of reference

Under Section 22B of the EPARR Act, the functions of the ARRTC are to:

Consider programs for research into, and programs for the collection and assessment of information relating to, the effects on the environment in the Alligator Rivers Region of uranium mining operations in the Region;
Keep under review programs and the carrying out of programs, referred to in (1);
Make recommendations to the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment on:
1. the nature and extent of research necessary to protect and restore the environment in the Alligator Rivers Region;
2. the most appropriate organisations to undertake the research referred to in (i).
Refer to the Alligator Rivers Region Advisory Committee matters relating to programs, and the carrying out of programs. referred to in (1).

Meetings

ARRTC generally meets twice a year. These meetings can be attended by Observers

Meeting dates, brief summary of meeting, summary record, draft agenda

Contacting ARRTC

ARRTC Secretary
Phone: (08) 8920 1122
Fax: (08) 8920 1199
Email: richard.mcallister@environment.gov.au