Friends of Big Hill’s Helga Saunders said the forum’s aim was to inform candidates about a proposed open-cut gold mine in Stawell so they could make a decision before November’s state election.

Former Northern Grampians mayor Graeme Trickey will chair the question and answer-style forum.

The panel includes environmental consultant Jane Marriott, doctor Catherine Pye, businessman Peter Baker, lawyer and environmental justice advocate Ariane Wilkinson, biochemist Gary Saunders and Dunkeld farmer Adrian Lyon. 

Mrs Saunders said all panelists opposed the mine.

She said Labor candidate Daniel McGlone, Liberal candidate Louise Staley and Nationals candidate Scott Turner  had not accepted the group’s invitation.

Greens candidate Rod May, who opposes the development, is the only candidate who will attend the forum.

Mrs Saunders said  representatives from Stawell Gold Mines, the company behind the project, had also declined to attend.

They preferred to wait for Planning Minister Matthew Guy’s decision.

She said the forum would still be useful for people who wanted to know more about the proposal.

“It is really important that we get this information out there,” she said.

“Health regulations are unable to be met and this is what we basically want to get out to the public.

“The mine hasn’t made any effort to bring any of this information that has come out in the public after the inquiry.”

Stawell Gold Mines general manager Troy Cole said the company respected the decision by the organisation to conduct such an activity, however, due to the panel and ministerial considerations in progress, the company felt  it was inappropriate to participate.

“The company respects the Environment Effects Statement process and believes it is the best and most effective channel to raise issues and answer questions in an independent forum,” he said.

“During the EES process, Stawell Gold Mines has hosted a number of community forums, workshops and one-on-one meetings, all of which have been favourably attended.

“In the event that the project is considered appropriate to proceed, Stawell Gold Mines will actively engage the community to assist individual understanding and progression of options available derived from ministerial direction.”

A State Government-appointed panel is still working on the report to be handed to Mr Guy.

It is expected to be completed later this month.

The community forum will be at the Stawell Town Hall on Wednesday.