Thursday, January 19

Mining, Gas extraction: councils propose united front

A “PROTECTIVE legislation directions paper” outlining ways in which the Margaret River wine region can be protected from inappropriate mining and gas extraction is to be considered at today’s Augusta-Margaret River Shire Council meeting.

The paper identifies amendments to the Mining Act 1978 and to the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967, as well as to the South West Planning Framework and the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge Statement of Planning Policy 1998 as “opportunities for reform”.

It was prepared under the auspices of shire president and Capes Regional Organisation of Councils chairman, Ray Colyer, to be considered by Augusta-Margaret River and Busselton councils, with the aim of it being adopted as CapeROC’s formal united front against inappropriate exploration or extraction proposals.

Changes to Section 121 of the Mining Act could put “more emphasis” on state bodies being involved “relating to environmental, planning and social considerations in determination of mining licences”, the draft directions papers states.


Augusta Margaret River Mail

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