Coal mine rejected

Environment Minister Bill Marmion has rejected a controversial proposal for a coal mine near Margaret River, after months of protest by residents.

Mr Marmion upheld the Environmental Protection Authority’s decision to reject Vasse Coal’s plan for black coal mine less than 12km from the centre of the holiday town.

"In making my determination, I’ve decided it’s likely there would be significant impacts or risks from the proposed mine on the Leederville and Sue aquifers and on significant environmental values which these aquifers support," Mr Marmion said.

Margaret River residents have protested bitterly over the plan.

Local farmer Brent Watson helped lead the protest against the coal mine.

Mr Watson described his initial reaction as "terrific relief."

But, he warned against complacency and said expected LD Operations to carry on a push to build the mine despite Mr Marmion’s decision.

"It’s not’s the end of the story, it’s probably in a way just a minor step, but a good step nonetheless," he said.

The latest decision would increase certainty for people who wanted to live and invest in tourism in Margaret River.

"Everybody has just been suspended in uncertainty for 18 months and this is a really nice step," he said.

"I’ve just had a lady who has held off investing in alternative activity because she realised the coal rush would ruin her aspirations, and she has immediately recommenced plans she had 18 months to build a shed on her farm."

Local chef Ian Parmenter said Mr Marmion’s decision was a welcome Christmas present to the South West.

"Especially with the bushfires in the region, we needed a good morale boost and this has been it," he said.

"I hope this sets a precedent for anybody else who thinks of doing the same thing. As soon as we get the gang together I think there will be a serious celebration."

LD Operations said it was disappointed and would now consider its rights over the Mr Marmion’s decision today.

It claimed Mr Marmion’s decision went against the advice of government agencies and independent experts that further information was needed before the proposal’s environmental acceptability could determined.

"LDO respectfully believe the Minister’s decision supports a flawed assessment process, apparent dismissal of available evidence from government agencies and independent experts, and a lack of evidence to support the Environmental Protection Authority’s categorisation of the proposal," it stated.

"LDO reiterates it has not been given the opportunity to undertake detailed technical, environmental and social studies regarding the proposal which were recommended by numerous Government agencies and independent experts to both LDO and the EPA."

Shadow environment minister Sally Talbot said Mr Marmion’s decision said nothing about

"dozens" of other mining leases in the region and she called on the Government to urgently bring forward its plans for a legislative framework to protect the region’s agricultural and tourism values from mining development.

"Otherwise this decision is just is just fiddling at the margins," she said.