Friday, 04 December
WA Greens MLC Robin Chapple yesterday introduced a Mining Act amendment bill that would give communities the power to reject mining proposals within their local government area through planning schemes.
“The purpose of this bill is to address community concerns about the capacity of the Mining Act to override local or regional planning schemes, essentially handing power back to the people,” Mr Chapple said.
“Proposals to mine, and refine, bauxite in the Avon Hills area, and all along the Darling Scarp, have prompted me to bring this bill forward.
“There has been massive community opposition to those proposals from residents in the Shires of Mundaring, Northam and Toodyay who believe – and I strongly agree – that to mine in the Perth Hills so close to the metropolitan area would be both socially and environmentally irresponsible.
“However, there are other significant mining threats to communities across our state – particularly from the fledgling unconventional gas industry – and I hope this bill will also empower other communities who are in opposition to invasive mining activities.
“This Bill delivers to local communities, with the concurrence of the Minister for Planning, the power to reflect in their planning schemes what land uses they want without the Mining Act’s power of veto rendering such schemes merely advisory.”
For comment please contact Media Liaison Tim Oliver on 0431 9696 25 or 9486 8255.