Albany locals protest in silence against Torbay mineral exploration outside Albany Courthouse

Residents gathered outside Albany Courthouse on Monday in a silent protest against mineral exploration in the Torbay Catchment and at Lake Pleasant View, Manypeaks. About 20 people, including City of Albany Cr Stephen Grimmer, attended the protest to oppose the prospect of mining near their properties. Resident Amanda Woods-McConney is against the potential exploration and is concerned about the risk to the environment. “Simply finding economically viable mineral resources should not mean that mining should occur in this area of high-value biodiversity, agriculture, and tourism,” she said. “Mining should not happen in this catchment, regardless of the financial gain to an overseas-based company.” The push for mining and exploration in the 500ha area has been long disputed by residents and Indigenous elders, including Donna Williams. An exploration licence was applied for in January 2022, covering areas such as Kronkup, Torbay, Elleker and Marbelup. Pip Tilbrook, another resident, was concerned about the impact of the exploration and a mine on tourism in the region. “People come out here to fish, swim, surf, bushwalk, birdwatch, camp, rock-climb and to holiday,” she said. “The Bibbulmun Track and the Munda Biddi Trail are also here.” “It doesn’t make sense to turn this area into a mine site. It has too many other values. Those values should be protected for current and future generations to enjoy.” Residents and business owners have mounted legal action against the expansion and exploration for mining, with Sonja Beattie lamenting the possible mining encroachment. “It seems totally unfair that residents have to mount a legal challenge to try to protect the area,” she said. “And we don’t have any legal representation, whereas the mining company does. “We have had to put in countless hours just so we can fight this in court. “Where is the justice for all the small business owners whose livelihoods depend on the area being rural, not industrial?”