Councillor places mining exploration stance on Albany agenda

A policy that can guide the Albany council’s position on mining exploration applications within its municipality will be developed if a motion is supported by elected members next week. At Tuesday’s council meeting, a motion will be tabled calling on the chief executive to convene an elected member focus group meeting to start developing a policy position on mining applications within the municipality. Cr Stephen Grimmer’s motion will also ask the Mayor to write to Mines Minister Bill Johnston to “acknowledge the impact” mining exploration applications in the City’s west are having on some residents as well as “the stress this is causing”. The motion’s tabling will come after a number of presentations to the council by members of the community opposed to mining exploration applications between Albany and Denmark in recent months. During the presentations, the council has been asked on multiple occasions to show support to those engaged in formal opposition to the applications. Cr Grimmer, who was elected to council following an extraordinary election in December, engaged with community members concerned about existing exploration applications in Torbay, Marbellup and Elleker prior to submitting his motion. In the reasoning attached to the motion, he said residents had “expressed their fears that silica mining is incompatible with current land uses”. “Exploration and mining would adversely impact areas of significant biodiversity and environmental value, including the integrity of public drinking water sources, waterways, wetlands, riparian vegetation and coastal reserves,” he said. “There will also be significant adverse impacts on social, cultural, heritage and economic value. “The area is highly valued by the community and visitors for its outstanding natural beauty and opportunities for active and passive recreation.” Further on in the reasoning, Cr Grimmer said he acknowledged the council was bound to represent all electors and ratepayers and “individual landowners have the right to economic benefit by accepting a mining development proposal for their property”. “A Policy Position on Mining Tenement Applications would guide the council in determining if an objection should be lodged,” he said. The City officer comment attached to the motion suggested it could take a “significant time investment” to develop, implement and object to applications within the municipality. “Given the State’s aspiration for mineral exploration and mining and the processes required, any City of Albany input may be of minimal influence,” the comment said. “Officers would therefore recommend a process that balances the effort with the potential results that can be achieved.” A standard response provided to the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety in regard to mining applications includes a list of areas the City does not support exploration within. Included in the list are waterways, wetlands and public water source areas gazetted by the Water Corporation. The standard response also includes a number of “considerations” that should be made by those carrying out approved exploration. If the council votes in favour of the motion, any policy developed through the focus group and subsequent meetings would be presented to the council for formal adoption.