The Victorian Government’s approval of two mineral sands mines yesterday through Environment Effects Statements isn’t the end of the matter, Member for Mallee Dr Webster said this morning. As farmers learned yesterday of the two Mallee mines, the Member for Mallee lamented that Victoria’s prime agricultural land and the health of farming communities are not considered as significant as environmental grounds when assessing mining projects.

“I am deeply disappointed to hear that Victorian Labor government granted Environmental Effects Statement (EES) approval for both the WIM Avonbank and VHM Goschen projects on the same day yesterday.  It is disheartening that major decisions affecting Mallee and Wimmera farmers concerning mineral sands projects have occurred across successive years during both the cropping harvest and Christmas seasons,” Dr Webster said.

“The conclusion of the Victorian EES process now activates federal review on environmental and radiation grounds. The likely Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) considerations for both projects are threatened species and radiation elements, with VHM also needing to demonstrate their project will have no significant impact on Ramsar wetlands.  

“Late yesterday I wrote to Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and Shadow Minister Jono Duniam (whom I also spoke with) to highlight the two projects’ significant concerns that must be considered by the current, or potentially future, Minister.  

“The timeline for EPBC review, as I understand it, is for the Victorian Minister to now refer the projects to Minister Plibersek, who must obtain a report from the federal Department (DCCEEW).  Once DCEEW delivers that report to the Minister, the Minister must decide within around 20 to 40 days what conditions to impose on the projects to prevent significant adverse environmental impacts  

“Twice this year - with proposals at Victoria’s Port of Hastings for offshore wind turbines, and a residential development at Toondah Harbour in Queensland – the Albanese Labor Government determined no conditions would suffice, so the projects were blocked altogether on EPBC grounds.  

“I am also advised that under Victorian mining law, if a mining licence is approved, farmers can apply to the Victorian minister to exclude their farm from the licence. The minister can exclude the land if the mining licensee consents to the exclusion, or if there would be a greater economic benefit to Victoria in continuing agricultural use of the land.

“I cannot help but agree with farmers who have highlighted that Western Australian mining legislation gives farmers a right of veto, and that has not stopped WA reaping huge royalties from significant mining operations.”