Horsham Rural City Council says significant community concerns remain unresolved following the Victorian Government's decision to approve a mining licence for the Avonbank Mineral Sands Project.
Mayor Cr Brian Klowss said Council were extremely disappointed that the mining licence had been approved when community concerns had not been addressed.
Council had raised its concerns through formal submissions, the Environment Effects Statement process and direct discussions with WIM Resource, ministerial advisers and government representatives.
"Council has engaged in good faith throughout this process, but engagement is not the same as resolution," Cr Klowss said.
"We have consistently sought clear answers and appropriate safeguards for our community, our environment and critical regional infrastructure.
"Despite our efforts, Council has not had the opportunity to discuss these concerns directly with the Ministers responsible for the decision. For a project of this scale and significance, that is disappointing."
Cr Klowss said that while the mining licence had now been granted, Council believed several important issues continued to require stronger commitments and greater transparency.
"Council remains focused on four key areas: transparent environmental monitoring, clear rehabilitation outcomes, meaningful community oversight and certainty around strategic public infrastructure," he said.
Council is seeking independent real-time or near real-time public reporting of environmental monitoring data and clear, measurable rehabilitation commitments. It is also seeking strong controls on the extent of active disturbance at any one time and governance arrangements that enable meaningful community participation.
"The community expects to see environmental monitoring data made publicly available, rehabilitation outcomes clearly measured and reported, and opportunities for ongoing independent oversight throughout the life of the project," Cr Klowss said.
"Transparency and accountability will be critical to gain community confidence and ensuring commitments are delivered over the long term."
Council is also continuing to seek greater certainty around the inclusion of the Wimmera Intermodal Freight Terminal rail hardstand within the mining licence area.
"The WIFT is critical public infrastructure supporting agriculture, freight and regional economic development across the Wimmera," Cr Klowss said.
"Our concern is not that mining would be proposed beneath the WIFT. It is that this important public asset remains within the mining licence area, creating uncertainty about its future operation, development and investment potential.
"If there is no intention to mine beneath the site, Council continues to question why it has not been removed from the licence area."
WIM Resource has the ability to excise this from the licence area. Especially given there is no clear explanation as to why a mining licence is needed over a Council owned asset that services a number of other businesses.
Council is also seeking assurance that commitments regarding the storage of Heavy Mineral Concentrate (HMC) will be delivered in full.
"Council has consistently advocated for enclosed storage arrangements to provide confidence around the management of mineral products and associated materials," Cr Klowss said.
"Council understands commitments have been made to provide covered storage for HMC and expects those commitments to be delivered and maintained throughout the life of the project."
Cr Klowss said Council respected the Victorian Government's role as the decision-maker but would continue to advocate for stronger safeguards, transparency and accountability.
"The granting of a mining licence does not mean the concerns raised by Council and the community have been resolved," he said.
