More than 2350 people have had their say on the controversial proposal for a Yallingup sand mine, with the project now referred to the Environmental Protection Authority for consideration.

If approved, the project would extract about 453,000cum of sand over five years, clear 0.25ha of native vegetation and generate up to 200 truck movements a day — equivalent to 10 trucks entering and exiting the site every hour.

The development application states demand for sand across the region continues to rise, driven by major urban developments including the proposed 400 lot Commonage Road subdivision and future expansion in Dunsborough east.

Community members and environmental leaders including Australian Greens founder Bob Brown have protested the development, citing negative impacts to the landscape, tourism and road safety.

The City of Busselton referred the proposal to the EPA and in turn, the EPA told the Times it is seeking further information from the proponent before deciding whether the project should undergo an environmental assessment.

“The EPA has received a third party referral relating to a proposal at 2774 Caves Road Yallingup. The EPA has requested further information from the proponent,” the EPA spokesperson said.

“If the EPA determines that the referral is valid it will be published for a seven-day public comment period.

“After this consultation ends, the EPA will consider submissions and any advice obtained and make a determination on whether or not to assess the proposal, and if so, the level of assessment.”

Community campaign group Protect Our Pits has welcomed the referral and said the volume of public submissions highlighted the widespread concern about the proposal.

Protect Our Pits creator Matthew Mulhall said the response sent a strong message to decision-makers.

“It demonstrates that local residents are deeply concerned about the environmental and social risks this proposal presents to the Yallingup region,” he said.

“People aren’t just expressing a general dislike for the project; they are genuinely alarmed by the lack of rigour in the proponent’s assessment and the potential for long-term damage to our local water, fauna and amenity.”

Mr Mulhall said the city’s decision to refer this to the EPA was a significant and appropriate step.

“We now look to the EPA to conduct a truly independent and thorough assessment,” he said.

“Given the significant regulatory gaps and the unverified nature of the proponent’s technical data, we trust the EPA will see the necessity of a formal, transparent review process.

“The community is looking for the EPA to prioritise the long-term ecological health of our region over a speculative industrial development.”

Any decision on the development application by the Development Assessment Panel will be deferred until after the EPA undertakes its assessment.

Once the EPA process is finalised, City of Busselton officers will prepare a report for the DAP.