Max and Margaret Treasure, Glenaladale
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
INFORMATION in an anti-Kalbar mineral sands mine flyer, which has also been published in numerous articles in newspapers, television news and on social media, is misleading.
It states that mining is to be “Located on top of the plateau, the proposed mine is as close as 350m from the Mitchell River with the vegetable fields 500m downwind from the mine.”
This is incorrect.
The proposed mine void would be 750m from the river at that point, and more than 825m from the vegetable paddock.
The undulating hills just south of the river in the photograph depicted on the flyer will not be mined.
Other information on this flyer is also incorrect.
Before the state election the Mine Free Glenaladale group claimed the result would be a mandate on the proposed mine.
The candidates who claimed they would wait for the Environment Effects Statement to be completed, before making comment regarding the project, received 78 per cent of the vote.
Obviously not all residents in Gippsland East are against the proposed mine.
The group claims a survey indicated that more than 83 per cent of the directly affected landholders did not want mineral sands mined on their land, but we believe many landholders have never been contacted or surveyed.
We all need to have accurate facts, respect the opinions of others and look at the project for its worth and benefit to our area.
We have previously stated that we would research information and make informed decisions when the EES was finalised.
With the planned demise of the timber industry, east Gippsland needs worthwhile employment opportunities, but sacrificing the environment and existing businesses is not an option.
With stringent government regulations, engineering and foresight, mining can co-exist with agriculture, as already proven in other areas of Australia.
Misinformation to justify a cause is unacceptable.
