A PRIVATE member’s bill to amend the Mining Act 1978 to protect Margaret River and other sensitive areas from unwanted coal exploration and mining is scheduled to be debated in State Parliament on Thursday, June 14.
The Mining (Community Protection) Bill 2012 had its first and second readings on Thursday last week. It was introduced into the Legislative Council by Greens candidate for the South West, Giz Watson.
Ms Watson represents the North Metropolitan region but has announced her intention to contest the South West region at the May 9 state election next year.
On Wednesday last week her colleague, East Metropolitan MLC and Greens’ spokeswoman on water, Alison Xamon, introduced another motion into the Legislative Council calling for a moratorium on all “unconventional” gas exploration, including hydraulic fracturing or “fracking”.
Ms Xamon is due to speak again next Wednesday on her motion, which calls for a moratorium until a “comprehensive regulatory framework” can be established to manage unconventional gas exploration and protect groundwater.
On Thursday Ms Watson used Margaret River as an example of why her amendment was needed to protect communities opposed to coal exploration and mining.
She claimed “the government is failing to protect the environment and the community of Margaret River from ongoing” coal mining proposals.
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Augusta Margaret River Mail
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