Anger mounting over mine approval

Residents living near a planned mineral sands mine have not been adequately consulted on the project, says an adjoining landowner.

At their latest meeting, Busselton City councillors voted unanimously to approve Bemax Resources development application for a mineral sands mine on Wonnerup South Road, subject to a number of conditions.

The company’s operations manager Ken Bell said they were awaiting a works approval from the Department of Environment and Conservation, expected next month.

Yalyalup home owner Julia Avery said the mine would be built within 200m of her house.

She said an amenity deed with a $10,000 sign-up fee and annual financial compensation for four years had been offered, but this prevented them from making any complaint about noise, dust and movement of vehicles.

While the proposal had been referred to adjacent landowners whose dwellings were within 1km of the subject land, Mrs Avery said all residents within 2km should be informed as there would be an impact on them too.

“Affected landowners within 1500m to 3000m should be included in any amenity deeds,” she said.

Mr Bell said the company continued to consult with their adjoining landowners.

“The project has been reviewed in the City of Busselton Development Application under the Town Planning Scheme which includes public review,” he said.

Mrs Avery said the mine would not only affect neighbouring properties “but would also impact on the general population in relation to road use, noise, dust and environmental disturbance”.

“The councillors are the custodians of the land and their primary concern should be for residents and not a mine on the doorstep of the city,” she said.

Mrs Avery also raised concerns the $1.85 million bond would not be sufficient to rehabilitate the land should the company go “belly-up”.

Mr Bell said at the completion of the project, the land mined would be rehabilitated to the current usage which included restoring vegetation.

“The project will also provide significant environmental benefits with enhancement of 38ha of native vegetation, which is currently in poor condition along the Abba River and Woddidup Creek, included as part of the project,” he said.