General News
19 November, 2024
Farmers blindsided by mining director's claims, MP's weigh in on debacle
Dooen farmers face 'hell and back' experience with mining company.
Sixth-generation Dooen farmer Gavin Puls was confronted with a cruel twist this month.
On the first day of harvest, with the fight to save his family's farm from a proposed mineral sand mine in the forefront of his mind, he received a call on November 13 that blindsided him.
Mr Puls said WIM Resources director of projects, Michael Winternitz, called to tell him the Victorian Government had approved the Avonbank Mine near Dooen, which included 1000 acres (404 hectares) of his farm.
However, the Government has not yet confirmed whether this was true.
"I received a phone call from Mr Winternitz, from WIM Resource on Wednesday," he said.
"He told me that Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny had approved the proposed Avonbank Mine Environmental Effects Study, the mine had the go-ahead, and the decision would be announced by the government the following morning [on Thursday, November 14].
"I wasn't the only one to get the phone call; a few of us [farmers] received a phone call from him with the same information."
The Wimmera Mail-Times contacted Mr Winternitz for clarification on Thursday, November 14, but did not receive a response.
However, in a statement provided to The Wimmera Mail-Times, the government said it had not approved the Environmental Effects Study.
On Saturday, November 16, it stated, "All parties have been notified that the Environmental Effects Statement is under review. "
A spokesperson from the Victorian Government said Monday afternoon, "We thank everyone for their patience while a review of the Environmental Effects Statement is being undertaken."
"It would be inappropriate to comment further while a review is underway."
For Mr Puls, that wasn't good enough.
"We haven't even had a follow-up phone call from Winternitz with an explanation," he said.
"We need to know how this could happen.
"I'm no expert, but surely there is something wrong with this process."
Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP, said she was not convinced WIM Resources had achieved the level of confidence and community trust expected for the operations they are planning in the region.
"Over the past few days, I have raised concerns with the relevant minister and the premier's office about the WIM Resources Avonbank EES submission," she said.
"The community, especially the farmers impacted, urgently need clarity on how the government will handle the WIM Resource Avonbank EES submission, and I have urged the government to update the community on the status of WIM Resource submission as soon as possible."
The latest development follows claims by community members that EES submissions in their name in favour of the mine were not written by them or with their knowledge.
Federal Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster said, "Farmers have been to hell and back on this mining proposal, marred by poor communication and consultation timed during busy harvest periods."
She said several farming families faced being removed from their homes for a generation during mining operations.
"Farmers' emotional rollercoaster went upside down after being notified on National Agriculture Day that the mine proposal had been approved, only to learn the approval had not, in fact, occurred.
"Australia's food security depends on prime agricultural land remaining in production, and farmers are far from convinced by claims mined land will be rehabilitated to the same or better quality as farmland," she said.
The proposed Avonbank Mine has an estimated lifetime of 36 years and a footprint of 3640 hectares,