Thanks to Toodyay councillors and CEO for coming to Morangup

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Published: Tuesday, 12 May 2015 21:27

AHMAG would like to thank the attending Councillors and the CEO for the informal meeting at the Morangup Community Hall on Saturday the 18th of April.

The CEO had the floor for most of the 2-hour session and the mining policy M.6 was first up for discussion. Apparently there were some 22 submissions submitted in relation the M.6 policy and according to the CEO the policy will be amended prior to being accepted.

The question was asked as to whether or not the proposed policy would be put out for public comment again before it was approved and the CEO could not give an definitive answer, so who knows what council will do.

Given the policy basically gives council blanket approval to pretty much do whatever it wants when it comes to dealing with any mining proponents, including participation on Community Advisory Groups, not only with BAJV, but also any other would-be mining company that comes to town. AHMAG still hold firm on the belief that a mining policy should not be implemented in our Shire, AS COUNCIL CAN NEITHER APPROVE NOR REJECT A MINING PROPOSAL and therefore one is not needed here.

This policy will merely enable the Council to further consult with mining proponents without any consultation with rate payers and without fear of their intentions being questioned, as they will merely say that the M.6 Policy was adopted to allow consultation with present (BAJV and BRL) and future mining proponents, this is a complete conflict of interest prior to a mine being approved by the relevant authorities.

The CEO made the statement that BAJV do not have to do a social impact study, but the mining policy can make it a condition, “but they still don’t have to comply”.

Just to clarify even with the new proposed mining policy, the proponent does not have to do a social impact study or comply with any other condition that council may impose on them. And given council can neither approve or reject a mining application, then one is not needed, as it merely enables closed-door dialog which has occurred in the past. Only the next time it will be OK because a mining policy is in place.

When asked why the Council will not do a referendum on mining the CEO said that even if one was done, people change their minds and therefore it would of be no use. It was mentioned that the Shire had undertaken a previous referendum on a swimming pool in Toodyay. It is however incomprehensible to think that a referendum could be undertaken in relation to a swimming pool, but when it comes to a mining proposal that can harm the very existence of Toodyay’s tourism industry, the reputation of one of the Avon Valleys jewels (Toodyay), the lifestyle of many of Morangup residents and the property values of so many properties just to name a few of the issues, yet council refuse to hold one on mining!!!.
If it can be shown by a referendum that the majority of the rate payers in the Toodyay Shire do not wont Bauxite Mining Here, then that would send a very clear message, not only to our local Government, but also the EPA and the State Government. That just maybe the tipping point as to whether or not a mine ever gets the go-ahead in the first place.

The CEO also said the proposed mining policy would help mitigate any impacts to the community. When asked how the mining policy was going to alleviate our previous, existing and future concerns - i.e. Dust, 24/7 Noise, Rain water contamination, Light pollution, Property losses, etc, etc,  the CEO could not answer, but at one point said that a flashing light could replace reverse beepers.
That sounded like a sales pitch from someone who is not neutral on mining.

Of course other items concerning Morangup residents were discussed, but this is merely a report on mining issues.