No mine for 'unique' Margaret River

AAP, The West Australian February 7, 2012, 1:24 pm

An August protest in Margaret River. Picture: Supplied.

Environment Minister Bill Marmion has rejected a bid for a coal mine in Margaret River.

LD Operations had hoped to operate the Vasse Coal project less than 12km from the centre of WA's premier wine region.

The company proposed to build the underground mine 15km northeast of the Margaret River township to operate for 15 to 20 years but struck vigorous opposition from locals.

The Environmental Protection Authority last year said the mine would pose an unacceptable risk to the region's water supply, but the proponents appealed against the recommendation.

Mr Marmion dismissed the appeal on December 22, 2011 and formally rejected the proposal today.

"This decision provides the people of Margaret River with certainty that the State Government recognises the uniqueness of the region, both from an environmental and social perspective," he said.

Conservation Council of WA Director Piers Verstegen welcomed the decision, saying a dark cloud had been lifted from the Margaret River community.

He called on the State Government to provide permanent legislative protection against coal mining and gas fracking for whole region.

"Legislation is urgently required to restore confidence in the high-quality food production and tourism industries that the region is famous for," he said.

Mr Verstegen said the ministerÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s decision should sound a warning to other coal and gas fracking proponents and their investors that they should not assume their projects will be approved in WA.

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Silver One03:02pm Tuesday 07th February 2012 WSTReport Abuse
Of course any area that still is in control of its original inhabitants is not unique and so therefore is open for any sort of mining or industrial development. It seems like on the western suburbs set that have land 'down south' are able to have 'sacred land;.
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Abbott will be the next PM..03:21pm Tuesday 07th February 2012 WSTReport Abuse
Silver.its not the West Subs mob, it’s a select few from MR who have made money and don’t want anyone else to work down there, the mine is a good 40 mins drive from MR and any traffic mine traffic will go via Sues rd which was purpose built by BHP for their ex mine down there.
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Abbott will be the next PM..03:25pm Tuesday 07th February 2012 WSTReport Abuse
With the amount of Weed that is grown down there, id say a lot of the “greenies” who campaigned against the mine had a vested interest for it not to go ahead, don’t want anyone or anything going near the bush on that side of town hey !!!
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Con Dom05:26pm Tuesday 07th February 2012 WSTReport Abuse
Lets hope the vignerons realise the area is also being polluted by their continual use of pesticides & fungicides not to mention the over use of glyphosates poisoning streams & rivers. Many of my fellow Western Suburbs residents together with the trendy lefties have a lot to answer for.
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Andrew05:28pm Tuesday 07th February 2012 WSTReport Abuse
There is too much investment streaming into WA as it is, driving up the dollar and destroying manufacturing prospects. There are not even enough staff to resource the mines we have in the pipe line already. WA's obsession with mining is strangling Australian secondary industries.
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