HORSHAM Rural City Council has backed Kanagulk Landcare Group’s call for an investigation into practices at Iluka Resource’s Douglas mine site, but has refused to take sides on the matter.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The group wants Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio to ask the mining warden to investigate Iluka’s practices and governance of its former Douglas mine site.
It also wants a review of the governance of the relevant departments that approved Iluka’s work plan variations in 2009.
The landcare group asked council to support its request.
At a meeting on Monday night, council decided given allegations had been raised, it supported an investigation through an appropriate independent mechanism.
It stated it did not have a view about the best mechanism or process to determine or investigate the issues, and considered that should be determined by the minister and the State Government.
Cr Heather Phillips said there needed to be an emphasis on an independent investigation.
‘‘To be fair to both groups, I think we have to treat them equally,’’ she said.
Cr Phillips said council could not take a position on the issue when it was unable to verify either Kanagulk Landcare Group’s allegations or Iluka’s response.
Cr Tony Phelan said Kanagulk Landcare Group’s application for intervention by the mining warden reflected a breakdown of the working relationship between Iluka, the regulators and the group.
‘‘It deals with a series of past issues,’’ he said.
Cr Phelan said there was an expectation the issues would be resolved through the environmental review committee process.
‘‘The fact the ERC process has failed, I think it is reasonable to request matters of dispute be assessed objectively by an independent body,’’ he said.
‘‘They are issues of the past and we are involved in the process of possibly setting up processes that are going to affect the future.
‘‘It’s very important we do look at what’s happened in the past so we don’t make the same mistakes.’’
Iluka Resources flagged its intention to apply for an amendment to the Horsham Planning Scheme in June. The company wants to continue dumping tailings at its former Douglas mine site after its Victorian operations cease next year.
It will also seek works approval from the Environmental Protection Authority and a licence to operate a landfill at the site.
Kanagulk Landcare Group member Ian Ross said past issues could not be disassociated from the new proposal.
‘‘The real issue is the ongoing dumping of radioactive material, the failure of the 2009 work plan variation to look at the risk of leachate and ongoing risk to the water table, to livestock, human life and the environment,’’ he said.
Mr Ross said the group was thrilled with council’s support.
‘‘If it is an open and transparent process, then what does Iluka have to fear from an inquiry?’’ he said.
‘‘Why is everything confidential? Why won’t they give us reports? Their corporate behaviour doesn’t add up.’’
Iluka Resources external relations manager Rod Jones believes the landcare group’s concerns about environmental damage are misplaced.
‘‘If they do have concerns, they probably are legitimate in their minds,’’ he said.
‘‘We would like to think we’ve provided the information, but it probably hasn’t been digested well enough.’’
Mr Jones said the company wanted to dispel some of the concerns about its activities.
‘‘We are trying to get as much information out there about our practices as we can,’’ he said.
‘‘From our perspective, we are looking at a continuation of current practice. We’re not proposing anything different. We’re not looking to do anything outside of that. There’s just purely a change in legislation that oversees that process.’’
