Dispelling the myths
IT is time to dispel some myths and replace them with facts. Horsham Rural City Council refused a planning permit application for Iluka to dump radio active mine waste at Douglas – fact.
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It is radioactive because it contains minerals that include thorium and uranium at levels greater than the international measurement for radioactive materials – fact.
Not low or very low radio activity, actually quite high and needing five metres of fill over it to be safe into the future.
We heard at VCAT that if the same or similar unprocessed mineral sands that arrives in Hamilton was exported to somewhere like China for the processing, the byproduct would need to be stored in a specially designed near-surface disposal facility for radioactive materials.
However, because the original mineral sands comes from the same basin (Murray Basin), then it can be returned to any part of that basin in its concentrated form after processing.
Apparently the fact that Iluka’s South Australian mine is in the neighbouring Eucla Basin is close enough for the regulators, and Iluka is currently allowed to dispose of South Australian waste at Douglas within its current mining licence.
Iluka has stated it will close its Hamilton plant if it does not get a planning permit, yet when discussing without prejudice conditions, the company wanted a clause that would allow it to ‘mothball’ the Hamilton plant for up to five years without expiring the permit, when the standard time is two years of non-activity before a permit expires.
Iluka could close shop tomorrow, but so much better to be able to blame Horsham for something it has thought about anyway.
This means there is no job security for the heavy mineral separation plant workers and no commitment from Iluka to rehabilitate pit 23 within the lifetime of many residents.
Perhaps Horsham residents will be more interested when they realise how close to Horsham the next wave of mineral sands mines are planned and how interested all mining companies are in the outcome of this VCAT hearing.
Iluka has only done what the regulatory authorities have allowed it to do.
The company has worked out how to cut costs for the benefit of its shareholders and has effectively written its own rules, that three government departments have supported, because of jobs and economic development at any cost. Thank goodness local government can still be independent.
One more fact to correct – as mayor I did not have the deciding vote on this issue, that only happens if there is a tied vote and the mayor gets to give a casting vote. Being seven councillors this did not happen.
HEATHER PHILLIPS
Natimuk
State of the roads
I AM well aware that the state of our roads is one of the most pressing issues in our region. That’s why it’s positive that a new inquiry was established last week by state parliament’s Law Reform, Road and Community Safety Committee.
The inquiry into VicRoads’ management of country roads has been tasked with considering and reporting on:
- The effectiveness of VicRoads in managing country roads.
- The existing funding model and its lack of effectiveness for country Victoria.
- The lack of consultation with regional communities and their subsequent lack of input into prioritising which roads are in dire need of repair.
- The option of dismantling VicRoads and creating a specific country roads organisation and separate metropolitan roads body.
This topic is one of crucial importance to our region and I strongly urge Wimmera people to have their say and contribute to this inquiry.
You can access information about the inquiry, including how to make a submission, through the Victorian Parliament website at www.parliament.vic.gov.au/lrrcsc/article/3220
The committee will make its recommendations to the state government by November 30, 2017. If you need any assistance accessing information about the inquiry, please do not hesitate to contact my office on 5382 0097 or 5571 9800.
EMMA KEALY
Member for Lowan
Foreign ownership register
FARMERS are one step closer to knowing which foreign entities have a stake in Australian water supplies after legislation passed through the federal Senate establishing a foreign ownership register for water assets.
The move will complement the current land register and require the Australian Tax Office to be told of all foreign ownership of water assets from December 1 next year.
The Victorian Farmers Federation has long argued for the establishment of a water register because farmers deserve a better understanding of ownership structures vital to our agricultural production.
Water is the backbone of the farming sector – especially our dairy and horticulture irrigation communities – with more than three quarters of Victorian water entitlements held in our northern irrigation districts. It makes sense that the ownership register Australia maintains for foreign-owned land should be extended to our water assets.
More than 4,500,000 million litres of water entitlements are held on Victorian water systems. The water market is becoming more active year on year, with once off or ongoing trades between owners, including the environment. In the 2015-16 season, 2,737,000 million litres of water was traded within the bounds of Victoria.
DAVID JOCHINKE
VFF President