The state government has announced new nature conservation and mining arrangements for the Mt Manning area, north of Southern Cross following extensive work by the departments of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and Mines and Petroleum.
The state government has announced new nature conservation and mining arrangements for the Mt Manning area, north of Southern Cross following extensive work by the departments of Environment and Conservation and Mines and Petroleum.
The arrangements would ensure proper management of significant nature conservation values in the region and certainty for industry regarding investment.
The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies has welcomed the announcement.
CEO Simon Bennison said it was a positive step.
"The new arrangements will provide some additional certainty and clarity for development opportunities in the area, and for companies to work through the approvals process without encroaching on those specific locations with high conservation values," he said.
"It also sends a strong message that the Barnett Government understands that the mining and minerals exploration activities can continue whilst recognising significant environmental protection and biodiversity conservation values."
"Any development proposals will still be subject to the requirements of the Environmental Protection Act and the Mining Act to ensure appropriate accountability is paramount in the process.
"AMEC members that have an interest in the Mt Manning region now look forward to working closely with the relevant government agencies in progressing their individual tenement and project applications," said Mr Bennison.
Full announcement below:
The State Government today announced new nature conservation and mining arrangements for the Mt Manning area, north of Southern Cross.
Environment Minister Donna Faragher and Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore said the new arrangements followed extensive work by the departments of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and Mines and Petroleum to identify a balanced way forward to address conservation and mining values in the area.
The arrangements would ensure proper management of significant nature conservation values in the region and certainty for industry regarding investment.
Mrs Faragher said the arrangements built on the State Government's commitment to retaining the existing Helena-Aurora Range and Mt Manning Range conservation parks and the Mt Manning Range Nature Reserve.
The reserves to be managed by DEC include:
- a class A nature reserve over the Die Hardy Range excluding a mineralised portion in the south-east of the range when this area is relinquished from Diemals pastoral lease, or when the lease expires and is not renewed in 2015
- conservation parks (not class A) and reserves for conservation and mining under section 5(1)(h) of the CALM Act over the former Mt Elvire and Jaurdi pastoral leases
- a reserve for conservation and mining under section 5(1)(h) of the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984 ('the CALM Act') over part of the Diemals pastoral lease when this area is relinquished from the lease or when the lease expires and is not renewed in 2015
- a reserve for conservation and mining under section 5(1)(h) of the CALM Act over an area that formerly was part of the Mt Jackson pastoral lease.
"Any development proposals in the area will continue to be subject to the requirements of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and Mining Act 1978 which includes assessment and advice from the EPA," Mrs Faragher said.
"The values of these ranges will continue to be taken into account in the consideration of any development proposal."
Mrs Faragher said the DEC would remain the land managers of the reserves and continue to work with landholders, industry and other stakeholders to ensure positive regional outcomes for nature conservation.
Mr Moore said reserving the identified areas for conservation and mining under section 5(1)(h) would enable appropriate recognition and management of significant conservation values and resources of strategic value.
"We are confident that this co-operative, strategic approach will enable the region to meet its economic potential, while ensuring that significant conservation values are properly managed," he said.
The new tenure arrangements extend across 862,000 hectares.
