Environment minister Bill Marmion has backed the Environmental Protection Authority’s decision to reject a Central West Coal proposal to develop a coal mine south of Eneabba.
Five appeals were received in objection to the EPA decision.
After considering appeals and a report from the independent Appeals Convenor, the environment minister decided the assessment and conclusions of the EPA were justified, particularly noting the uncertainty surrounding possible impacts to groundwater dependent ecosystems in Lake Logue Nature Reserve.
When the EPA rejected the proposal in February, chairman Paul Vogel said Central West’s proposal to mine 75 million tonnes of coal from tenements 15 kilometres south of Eneabba could not meet the EPA’s environmental objectives.
“With the clearing of 861 hectares of native vegetation adjacent to the South Eneabba Nature Reserve there is a high risk of unacceptable impacts on critically endangered vegetation, Carnaby's Cockatoo and the migratory Rainbow Bee-eater,” Dr Vogel said.
“Dewatering for the proposal is likely to have adverse impacts on the Lake Logue Nature Reserve.”
Mr Marmion said further assessment was unlikely to significantly alter the level of uncertainty.
“The Lake Logue Nature Reserve is an important and recognised conservation asset of the State, supporting significant flora, fauna and wetland values and any adverse impacts on the environmental values of the reserve were key considerations,” Mr Marmion said.
“The combination of risks associated with the proposal were such that the EPA’s conclusions were appropriate.”
Conservation Council of WA director Piers Verstegen said the council commended Mr Marmion for the decision.
“Minister Marmion has clearly been listening to the thousands of ordinary West Australians who want to see an appropriate balance struck between mining and protection of the environment," he said.
“Another polluting coal-fired power station is the last thing we need in the Central-West region where renewable energy resources are so plentiful.
“Minister Marmion’s decision today should send a strong warning to other coal and gas fracking proponents, and their investors, that they should not assume their projects will be approved in WA."
Greens MLC Giz Watson congratulated Mr Marmion on his decision and called on the minister to make a decision on coal mining in Margaret River.
“While he’s feeling decisive Minister Marmion must now also support the EPA’s position to reject coal mining in Margaret River,” Ms Watson said.
“I note the Minister’s decision was based on the need to protect groundwater dependent ecosystems - Margaret River should get the same protection.
“The Margaret River community deserve to have the threat of coal mining lifted before Christmas."
