The Allan Labor Government has given the greenlight for the state's largest gold producer to expand its operations - delivering more local jobs and injecting more than a billion dollars into Bendigo's economy.
Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny signed off the Environment Effects Statement (EES) for the expansion of Fosterville Gold Mine - marking a major milestone in the approval process.
Located 20km east of Bendigo, the project is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the region - with a gross regional product increase of $1.3 billion dollars over the next 10 years.
Gold mining is one of Bendigo's largest industries - the Fosterville mine currently directly employs more than 800 people, this is expected to increase to more than 1,000 workers as a result of the expansion.
Fosterville is one of the highest-grade gold mining operations in the world. The gold sector across the state is generating strong interest globally and is well positioned to make the most of a high gold price.
Fosterville mine is the largest gold producer in Victoria, since the beginning of operations more than 4.4 million ounces of gold have been extracted from the mine.
The Minister's assessment found that potential impacts can be acceptably managed, provided that strengthened environmental management practices and amended mitigation measures are adopted.
Key outcomes and recommendations from the EES include a new surface water monitoring system to minimise impacts on ground water and local waterways, as well as enhanced noise, vibration and air quality monitoring.
After receiving the EES, the project will now go through mining and EPA approvals as well as Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 approval from the Commonwealth.
The next stage of development will be the assessment of a Work Plan to ensure all EES recommendations are met in their mining operations and to ensure the operator can be held accountable.
More information about the assessment is available at planning.vic.gov.au.
As stated by Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny
"We're making sure safeguards are in place to protect the environment, while also creating more jobs and boosting Bendigo's economy."
As stated by Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D'Ambrosio
"The Central Gold Fields has more than two centuries of gold mining heritage and this project seeks to continue the sector's long-history of employment and economic benefits for regional Victoria."
As stated by Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan
"Gold mining is woven into the fabric of Bendigo's history - and this expansion will continue that legacy, supporting more than a thousand jobs and injecting more than $1 billion into our economy."
