STAWELL residents opposed to an open-cut mining proposal were able to plead their case to Victorian Industry, Energy and Resources Minister Lily D’Ambrosio on Wednesday.
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Friends of Big Hill representatives met with Ms D’Ambrosio about Stawell Gold Mines’ proposal to mine open-cut pits at the Stawell landmark.
Group spokeswoman and Stawell resident Sherrie Hunt said it was a fantastic opportunity.
‘‘We felt it was really positive and it was a great relief to be able to speak to her, face-to-face, about our issues and our concerns,’’ she said.
Former planning minister Matthew Guy rejected Stawell Gold Mines’ proposal in October after a panel advised him there would be serious health risks to Stawell residents if the project went ahead.
However, Stawell Gold Mines will continue to push for open-cut mining at Big Hill, with the state government due to make a decision about a revised Big Hill Enhanced Development Project this year.
Mrs Hunt has been lobbying against the proposed mine, which she believed would have forced her and her husband to move if it went ahead.
She said after meeting with Ms D’Ambrosio, the group was confident moving forward.
‘‘It seems there will be processes involved for when Stawell Gold Mines chooses to act on the project’s health and noise concerns,’’ she said.
Mrs Hunt said Ms D’Ambrosio came to her house for morning tea.
‘‘On Saturday, a group of us went for a plane ride over Stawell and took photos of the gold mine and the tailings span,’’ she said.
‘‘We presented the minister with the photos in a Powerpoint presentation.
‘‘We took her outside to show her how close the mine would be to my back yard – my house is the closest house to the south pit.
‘‘We also spoke with her about the health concerns and she has taken that all on board.’’
Mrs Hunt said the group was able to learn more about the planning process during the visit.
‘‘That was the thing that was giving us a lot of anxiety – we knew there was a process from here, but we didn’t know what the process was,’’ she said.
‘‘The minister went through that with us and now we are confident it will all be done correctly and we will be able to have our say when the time comes.’’
Mrs Hunt said it was a great opportunity to meet with Ms D’Ambrosio.
‘‘We are very blessed for this opportunity and we thank her for coming,’’ she said.
While in Stawell, Ms D’Ambrosio also toured Stawell’s Frewstal abattoir and met with Northern Grampians Shire councillors.
Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford also visited Stawell this week, touring Stawell Athletics Club yesterday ahead of the 2015 Stawell Gift.
Ms Pulford then visited the newly-completed Bugiga Hiker Camp at Halls Gap and reaffirmed the state government’s election promise of $19 million for the Grampians Peaks Trail.