City of Albany responds to local outcry over mining exploration applications for Torbay, Marbellup and Elleker

The City of Albany says it takes into account the specifics of each application within its boundaries following requests by residents to support their opposition to mining exploration in its west. The statement comes after two residents opposed to mining exploration applications in City’s west requested support from the local government during public question time at the May council meeting. Over the past 18 months, a number of mining exploration licences have been applied for in the Torbay, Marbellup and Elleker areas. The Torbay Catchment Group has been vocal in its opposition to applications and has seen some of them withdrawn only to be replaced by applications covering similar areas. The latest applications were made in February by Aurora Tenement Consulting on behalf of Mac Sands Pty Ltd. Last month members of the group held a silent protest outside the Albany courthouse in opposition to the applications. Chief executive Andrew Sharpe said the City was notified by the Department of Mining, Industry Regulation and Safety whenever a mining tenement application for an exploration licence was lodged. “The entire application process is administered by DMIRS, including consultation that they deem appropriate and required under legislation,” he said. “When mining exploration impacts City of Albany-controlled land then the City, as a land manager, will provide feedback to DMIRS in relation to the potential impact on the managed infrastructure which is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. “Mining tenement applications are reviewed on their merit and across several different criteria relevant to the City of Albany. “Should the City feel that a mining tenement application warrants objection then that will be a consideration specific to each application.” Pip Tillbrook and Sonia Beatty addressed the council at the May meeting and requested its support. Ms Tillbrook said the applications were being made in areas where they were “totally inappropriate” due to their proximity to priority agriculture, tourism businesses, beaches, biodiversity refuges and the city. She said the problem would not go away in a hurry and support from the City would strengthen the case against the applications being approved. “We currently have two petitions, one on paper which we haven’t counted the signatures for yet, and another online which has 15,000 signatures, and these will be presented to council soon,” she said. “In court when the warden saw the number of objectors he asked if the City was an objector. “He then went on to state Margaret River, Collie, Serpentine-Jarrahdale, Port Hedland and Karratha shires had all been objectors. “While it may be too late for the City to be an objector to these cases, we still request the City make it known these applications aren’t supported.”