Legislate Margaret River coal move: Greens

24 Jul 2012, 6:17 pm   -   Source: AAP
Coal mining will not be allowed in and around Margaret River, West Australian resources minister Norman Moore says. (Getty Images)

Coal mining will not be allowed in and around Margaret River, West Australian resources minister Norman Moore says. (Getty Images)

The WA government will no longer allow the exploration or mining of coal within a 230 sq km radius of Margaret River, a move welcomed by the Greens.

RELATED

The Australian Greens has applauded the termination of coalmining applications in the Margaret River region, but wants the West Australian government's position enshrined in legislation.

Western Australia's Resources Minister Norman Moore on Tuesday announced the state government had terminated all pending applications for coal exploration and coalmining within a 230sq km radius of the town, an internationally renowned tourism, wine-growing and surfing hotspot.

Mr Moore said the decision followed advice from the state's Environmental Protection Authority, which indicated coalmining in the area posed an unacceptable environmental risk.

The resources minister can, under the Mining Act 1978, terminate or refuse mineral exploration applications if there are reasonable grounds that it is in the public interest to do so.

Greens MLC Giz Watson said Mr Moore's decision was a good outcome, although the WA government could change its position after the next state election in March.

"This decision is only a ministerial position, not legislation," Ms Watson said.

"If the government is serious in wanting to provide certainty to Margaret River from coalmining then they must introduce special legislation, or alternatively support the bill I introduced to parliament last May to amend the Mining Act 1978."

Ms Watson's bill sought to expand the discretion of the resources minister to exempt any land from mining and also make any application for the grant of a mining tenement subject to local planning schemes.

Conservation Council of WA director Piers Verstegen said Mr Moore's decision was a fantastic outcome for the Margaret River environment and community.

"The announcement today recognises that the Capes region has a range of environmental values, including groundwater resources, that would have been catastrophically impacted by coal mining if it were allowed to proceed," Mr Verstegen said.

"Thousands of Western Australians will breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that their favorite holiday destination and wine and food region will be spared from a polluting coal industry that is not welcome in WA."

Mr Moore said the decision was based on unique and local circumstances existing only in the Capes region on WA's southwest corner, where any future applications for exploration or mining of commodities other than coal would be reviewed on their merits.

"This decision sends a signal to the industry - applications will not be accepted to explore for or mine coal in this area," he said in a statement.

"It will provide some future certainty for local residents and landowners without adding unnecessary sovereign risk to the state's $107 billion resources sector."

The WA government in February knocked back plans by LD Operations to develop its Vasse underground coal mine 15km northeast of the Margaret River township amid vigorous opposition from locals.

  • Follow us: 
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Youtube