Tuesday, 20 February, 2007

ABC NT Local News

The Northern Territory Environment Centre says strong deterrents are needed to ensure there is no repeat of a recent cyanide spill which closed the Stuart Highway for nine days.

Chief Minister Clare Martin has announced a review of transport regulations in the wake of the spill, as investigations into the accident continue.

The environment centre's Peter Robertson has welcomed the move, but says the toxic spill should never have been allowed to happen in the first place.

"One way to help ensure that they won't continue to happen is if strong action is taken against any company that breaches any legal requirements in terms of safe handling and transport of these materials, but beyond that we obviously do need to have a much more thorough look at the whole way in which we are moving very dangerous chemicals around," he said.