MLC opposes Nullaki mine approval
An MP has called on the City of Albany and the State Government to contest the January State Administrative Tribunal approval of a Nullaki Peninsula mine.
South West MLC Diane Evers cited community opposition and an “undeniable environmental case” as reasons to appeal the SAT’s decision, which gave landowner Graeme Robertson conditional approval to mine lime on the land.
“I have been contacted by a number of concerned constituents regarding the issue and consider State Government intervention to be essential,” she said.
“They have told me the stress and fear this decision has caused within their community will shatter their calm and peaceful lifestyle.”
Ms Evers said a decision by the Environmental Protection Authority in 2017 to not conduct an environmental survey of the land could be reconsidered if a current fauna study returned new evidence of potential negative impact from the mine.
A separate survey of the peninsula released in January found honey and brushtail possums, lizards, skinks and western crowned snakes in the area.
“For this reason, along with the undeniable environmental case and shortcomings in the proponent’s due process, I will be writing to the EPA on the grounds the 2017 proposal requires a new determination,” Ms Evers said.
The Nullaki mine has been proposed to extract up to 50,000 tonnes of lime a year. Locals had raised concerns about noise, dust, damage to the nearby Bibbulmun Track, and impact on native species, including black cockatoos.
However, Mr Robertson rejected several claims, saying there would be no dust as a result of mining, as sealed roads would be constructed and there would be no activity at the site eight months a year and on weekends.
“(The mine will have) less impact on the Bibbulmun Track and the natural environment than the possible 22 houses and roads under the approved structure plan supported by the City of Albany in this lot,” he said.
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