A PROPOSAL by Stawell Gold Mines and its parent company Crocodile Gold to open cut mine Big Hill, received a major setback when Planning Minister Matthew Guy handed down his final assessment of the environmental effects yesterday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Guy's assessment recommends that the proposed Big Hill open cut mine should not be approved, but it certainly doesn't close the door on the proposed project.
Stawell Gold Mines management will take time to assess the decision and the reasons behind it, before considering its next move.
The decision handed down by the Minister yesterday follows an extensive expert Environment Effects Inquiry Panel process into the proposed Big Hill open cut gold mine. The Panel Report, also released yesterday, has recommended the proposed mine should not be approved due to significant environmental impacts.
"The Environment Effects Statement process has determined that the proposed mine could have significant environmental impacts particularly in regard to air quality and public health," Mr Guy said.
"The predicted economic benefits of the project do not outweigh the adverse impacts on air quality and the project does not provide the necessary community benefit to the state in regard to both short and long term economic, environmental and social consequences."
The mine proposal included two open cut pits near residential areas close to Big Hill.
The release of the Panel's recommendations and the Minister's assessment follows careful consideration of the proposal by the independent expert Environment Effects Inquiry Panel Report.
"A similar proposal for Big Hill was considered in 2000 and was also unsuccessful due to environmental impacts," Mr Guy said.
"Although this new proposal would have less impact on biodiversity, the potential impacts on air quality, amenity and social well-being and risks to health of the community, especially nearby residents, is too great to ignore."
The Ministerial assessment of the project and its effects will now be sent to the statutory decision-makers on the project including the Department of State Development, Business and
Innovation and the Minister for Energy and Resources.
Stawell Gold Mines General Manager, Troy Cole, said he was naturally disappointed with the decision handed down by the Minister yesterday, but said by no means was it a closed book.
"The company is very disappointed with the decision," he said.
"However, we are respectful of the decision handed down and will now give due consideration to our assessment of the decision, once we have worked through it.
"We will look at the reasoning behind the decision and then give our consideration to what steps we will take moving forward."
Mr Cole's disappointment was shared by Northern Grampians Shire Mayor, Cr Kevin Erwin, who hit out at the government for the way the decision was conveyed to the company, its employees and the community as a whole.
Cr Erwin said the decision to not allow the open cut mining of Big Hill would affect one fifth of the town's economy.
He described as appalling, the way in which council and Crocodile Gold had found out about the decision.
"Neither council nor the mine had any idea this decision had been made. We have been completely blindsided this morning," he said.
"The decision has been made and we must abide by it but to say we are disappointed by the way it has been announced by the state government is an understatement.
"Mining has been the major contributor to this town's economy for over a century. It's not just the mine itself that is affected by this decision - it's the contractors, too. Engineering, electrical, servicing and equipment companies will all be impacted."
Cr Erwin said his council now called on the government to provide clarity around the next steps in the process.
"We implore the government to provide council, Crocodile Gold and our community with more information," he said.
"We need clarity around the next steps in the process and the timeframes attached to them.
"The impacts of this decision are severe and we need to know what is going to happen next so that we can prepare ourselves as a town.
"As a council and community we have planned for the eventual closure of the mine and we are now seeking solid government commitments to invest in economic and community development to sustain the future of not only Stawell but the entire region.
"We have invested a great deal of time and money into exploring alternative options for the site. The collaboration between council, Stawell Gold Mine, COEPP and the INFN on the Dark Matter project is one of the most innovative ideas this town, and indeed this state, has ever seen. This decision places a huge question mark over the ability to establish and operate this scientific research facility.
"We need the government to step up and include us and the mine in this process for the good of our community. This isn't about politics - it's about our people, our businesses and our future."