Residents urged to share thoughts on mining application covering south of Augusta-Margaret River shire

Residents have the chance to share their views on a controversial major mining project near the south of the region. A proposed vast mining tenement between Forest Grove and Scott River, also taking in Warner Glen, Alexandra Bridge, Courtenay and Nillup, recently concluded proceedings in WA’s Warden’s Court. While the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River and committed resident Donna Livingstone sought to fight the proposal from Century Minerals in the court, costs and legal obligations were deemed to be too great. Ms Livingstone said it was “very difficult to access and afford legal advice”, but residents were now free to write to Minister for Mines David Michael and ask for the tenement application to be refused on public interest grounds. The Augusta Community Development Association is also on board and has written to directly affected landowners urging them to write to the minister or seek more information. Nature Conservation Margaret River Region also added its voice to the objection, filing an affidavit during the legal process. “It’s a massive area covering a huge portion of the shire and includes areas of great cultural, conservation and agricultural significance,” general manager Drew Mckenzie said. “We feel that the majority of the community would have concerns about this, but it has largely flown under the radar. “It is really disappointing that this proposal did not require notification of the many landholders potentially affected and that the objections raised have not been adequately responded to.” The minister said he was aware of the community concerns, though understood objections had been aired in the Warden’s Court. “These Warden’s Court proceedings have now been finalised and I will make a determination on the tenement application once it has been referred to me,” Mr Michael said. The minister declined to comment on whether the mining exclusion zone established by the State Government around Osmington during a public fight against coal mining last decade might be extended to the rest of the shire.