No new coal: time to finish this business! March 8, 2016
We’ve been campaigning to stop a new coal mine at Bacchus Marsh for years. Now there’s a chance to see the end of this saga. We need your help: read on. Victorian upper house MP Greg Barber recently brought to our attention that the minerals exploration licence for coal held by Mantle Mining and Exergen in the Bacchus Marsh area expires this month, as reported in local papers (see here for article). We have met our local state MP, Don Nardella (who is supportive of our concerns) and we have written to the State Minister for Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio asking that the licence is not renewed. Mineral exploration licences are usually given out and renewed without fuss by the department. However, we are informed that this year there will be a state government review of the issuing of coal exploration licences. Currently, we have been informed, the decision on issuing licence renewals rests with the Minister herself. We intend to have our say in the coming review as to why we think coal exploration and new mines are no longer appropriate here. We are convinced by the evidence that climate change demands it, and that renewable energy can rapidly replace our current fossil fuel use. We have asked Lily D’Ambrosio to put the Mantle/Exergen licence on hold – not to renew it – pending the outcome of the review. Would you be able to write to her to express your support for our request?
Please write or email the minister:
Email: lily.d’[email protected]
Mail: Level 36, 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
or phone her office on (03) 8392 2100.
Tell her that you want the Mantle Mining/Exergen exploration licence at Bacchus Marsh not to be renewed, at least not until the outcome of the review of coal exploration licences later this year.
Why are we against this mine?
Here’s some reasons not to approve this mine, or new coal mines in general. It’s not an exhaustive list! Click on the links for further information. To continue opening new coal mines would make it impossible to meet responsible emissions reduction targets if the world is to avoid the worst of climate change. It is time to begin moving out of coal: new mines is incompatible with this imperative. Read this by one of Australia’s world-eading climate scientists: The growth in renewable energy investment, with renewables now cheaper than new coal and gas energy, coupled with the imperatives of climate action, and uncertain international markets for low grade brown coal, suggest that should the coal mine get started, it may have a short economic life, leaving the locality with nothing but a big hole. The recent inquiry into the Hazelwood mine fire, and news about management of coal mines interstate, reveal that rehabilitation plans and bonds are inadequate. In the relatively likely scenario that the mine is closed, there is a good chance the neighbours and taxpayers will be burdened with the cleanup. Should a coalmine proceed, we are concerned at the impact on local water supplies. The area is already one of the driest in southern Victoria (as locals would be painfully aware at present), so the amount of water needed for wetting down and/or the amount of hazardous dust that may blow over the town and area are a major concern. We are concerned that dust could blow on the prevailing winds as far as Melton, Werribee and beyond, not just Bacchus Marsh. Our area is now known for its horticulture and agriculture. Due to the impacts of dust, water waste, and damage to the town’s reputation, we fear that permanent damage could be done to these long-term industries by a coal mine. For further details of the coal exploration licence, including a map of the exploration licence area, see this from SourceWatch.