Dooen farmers to have their say, as authorities accept new mine licence

Dooen farmers are facing the next step in their fight to oppose a local mine, as the Resources Victoria regulator accepts a new mining licence application.

A new mining licence application has been accepted in the Wimmera’s wheatbelt, opening the door for farmers to provide further feedback on the proposed mineral sands project.

The Resources Victoria regulator has accepted WIM Resource’s mining licence application for its Avonbank Project at Dooen, near Horsham.

Resources Victoria regulatory operations executive director Chris Webb said it meant the community could provide feedback on the project’s feasibility.

“Compared to the previous EES consultation process, this feedback period is focused on whether WIM Resource can deliver what’s set out in their project proposal and whether they should be awarded the right to exclusively access minerals under the state’s mining legislation,” he said.

“The personal details of those submitting feedback will not be made public.”

Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny gave the company’s Environment Effects Statement a green light in December, which proposed a 3546ha, 36-year heavy mineral sands mine.

In her 127-page assessment, Ms Kilkenny said the project would not cause unacceptable environmental effects on values including agriculture, land use, groundwater and more.

However, “the project will result in a temporary change in land use from agriculture to mining across the proposed mining licence area,” she said.

A local advocacy group, Mine Free Wimmera Farms, has previously opposed the project due to concerns about agricultural impact, land rehabilitation, contamination, community consultation and water sourcing.

The state government would still need to approve a further work plan, following the mining licence feedback process.

Feedback application details and the project details are available on the Resources Victoria website.