After years of advocacy from local farmers, the agriculture sector and The Nationals’ Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, the Allan Labor Government has finally admitted it needs to do more to address concerns about mineral sands mining in the Wimmera Mallee region.
The government has announced a Mineral Sands Agricultural Land Restoration Working Group, which will include representatives from local councils and Catchment Management Authorities, Agriculture Victoria, the Victorian Farmers Federation and the Minerals Council of Australia.
The group will provide advice to government on issues such as mining’s long-term impacts on agricultural land and soil productivity.
The move comes years after Ms Kealy – who also the Shadow Minister for Agriculture – first called on the government to provide a pathway for those affected by mining developments to directly address their concerns with the government and be given a voice in projects that impact them.
Among key concerns are the lack of monitoring of mining companies’ activities, the lack of accessible, trustworthy information available to affected communities, and what protections are in place for landholders.
Ms Kealy’s advocacy included requesting that the Premier organise community forums in the region with key government departments, and also that the government initiate a comprehensive review of the state’s mineral sands mining regulatory framework to strengthen safeguards for productive farmland.
Ms Kealy said the government had so far failed to do either.
“The working group is a step in the right direction in ensuring that our communities and particularly the agricultural sector has a voice in this issue. However it is incredibly frustrating and upsetting for farmers and communities dealing with these projects to have waited so long for the government to recognise how crucial it is that their views and expertise are considered,” she said.
“For too long, the voice of agriculture and our local farmers have not been included in discussions around these types of developments, despite the huge impact such projects have on the agricultural sector.
“This working group is a start, but we need to go further and ensure there is legislation in place that recognises agriculture’s critical importance and ensures strengthened protections for productive land within Victoria’s planning and environmental approvals framework.
“It’s also critical that there is fair compensation for the landholders, neighbours and communities who host these projects.
“We are sick of having major projects thrust upon us by the Labor government, when all we get in return is far less than our fair share, disintegrating road and rail networks, insufficient housing, and worsening access to local health and mental health support.
“I and my Nationals colleagues will continue to stand with farmers and communities to ensure their voices are heard.”
