Bass Coast Council want more engagement from state and federal governments on extractive mining in the area

Bass Coast Council has taken a hit at state and federal governments demanding the community be consulted on mining issue.

The Bass Coast Council has taken a hit at the state and federal government for not allowing its community a seat at the table when it comes to the issue of extractive mining in the region.

Deputy Mayor Leticia Lang moved a motion, which the council passed, to encourage further community engagement on the controversial issue.

“The community need a seat at the table,” she said.

Ms Lang also called attention to the “damning” results of the latest State of the Environment Report 2021 which found all aspects of the environment were under pressure and many were declining due to human environmental damage, including mining.

Bass Coast has been declared as a distinctive area and landscape by the Victorian Government and according to Ms Lang sand mining is “not an appropriate land use within the municipality”.

“The community don’t want to watch their favourite woodlands be turned into huge quarries,” she said.

The issue of the highway being used for trucks transporting sand back to Melbourne was also raised.

“How can anyone enjoy a drive through the waterline views with trucks coming back and forth from Melbourne,” Lang said

Councillor Rochelle Halstead was in firm support of Ms Lang’s motion and said the “only coastal forest” in the state should be treated as the “highly sensitive area” it was.

“It is time for politicians and want to be politicians to come to the table and protect the environment and lifestyle of Bass Coast,” she said.

Councillor Bruce Kent also said politicians would “lose votes” if they didn’t take the issue seriously.

“Apparently the state and federal government are exempt from community consultation,” he said.

“Bass Coast has a duty of care to Victoria to provide resources but Victoria also have a duty of care to Bass Coast.”

Ms Lang will also write to the state environment and climate action, resources and planning ministers to request no further planning permits or work authority approvals be granted by the Victorian government without proper consultation with the community.

She said she planned to write to the federal Environment and Water Minister to highlight the impacts of extractive mining on the Bass Coast region.

Ms Lang said she planned to invite the state and federal ministers to the area to meet with councillors, to discuss options for protection of the largest area of remnant native vegetation in Bass Coast.