The D’Entrecasteaux Coalition was established 30 years ago to raise public awareness about the initial application to explore for mineral sands in the D’Entrecasteaux National Park and subsequent mining lease applications adjacent to Yoondadadup Lake Jasper within the D’Entrecasteaux National Park.
Member Organisations
Denmark Environment Centre
Warren Environment Group
Undalup Association
South West Environment Centre
Margaret River Regional Environment Centre
Busselton Dunsborough Environment Centre
South Coast Environment Group
WAFA
Wilderness Society WA
Our actions include:
Public outreach programs aimed at disseminating information about the social and cultural importance and ecological magnificence of the D’Entrecasteaux National Park and the likely impacts of any proposed mine.
Establish liaison with local Aboriginal groups, Members of Parliament and local community groups to promote the protection of Yoondadadup Lake Jasper and the Gingilup-Jasper Wetland ecosystem
Lobby the proponent, Strategic Sands P/L- a wholly owned subsidiary of Strategic Energy Resources Ltd – to withdraw the mining lease given the significant dangers such a mine poses to the Gingilup-Jasper Wetlands and Lake Jasper.
Research and prepare submissions to relevant organisations and campaign through the media to highlight concerns about mining next to Yoondadadup Lake Jasper
Campaigning on the broader issue of mining in National Parks.
Fundraising to finance these activities.
There is much to be done so if you require more information or would like to get involved to save our National Parks please contact our office. (sourced 30/10/2022 from Wayback Machine https://web.archive.org/web/20210305192452/http://savelakejasper.org.au/index.php/raise-public-awareness-about-mining-exploration-in-the-dentrecasteaux-national-park-and-adjacent-to-lake-jasper/)
#yoondadadupnomine
#lakejaspernomine
http://savelakejasper.org.au/
Investigations have uncovered a recent application for a Mining Lease for mineral sands in the Gingilup-Jasper Wetlands on the banks of the ancient and sacred Yoondadadup Lake Jasper. Yoondadadup Lake Jasper is the largest freshwater lake in Western Australia, located on the Scott Coastal Plain southwest of Pemberton, with the Donnelly River to the East. This contentious Mining Lease ML70/1385 was accepted by the Department of Mining Warden’s Court with no acknowledgement to past issues and concerns.
This area site has been the focus of major social, cultural and environmental conflict since 1988 when the then WA state government decided to excise land from D’Entrecasteaux National Park to facilitate exploration and a potential mine on the banks of the lake.
After exploration licences were granted (back in 1988), major mineral sand mining companies such as Cable Sands and Bmax Mining tried to get a mine in operation on the banks and catchment zone of Yoondadadup Lake Jasper. Finally in 2010 the last mining proponent withdrew their application citing the potential environmental disaster they could not overcome involving Acid Sulphate Soils (ASS).
Beenup was a nearby mine that BHP closed due to ASS contamination of the Scott River water shed and ASS damage to mining equipment. Environmental damage and health concerns are still an issue today at Beenup with acidic sulphates leaching into the water system.
With a history of countless mining court hearings, 100s of past mine objectors, contentious state government policy changes (excising National park land), related High court decisions and Government commitments (return mine lease to National Park) – it seems unbelievable this application was allowed. There appears an absence of any consultation or notification with past stakeholders, local community, indigenous community, environmental groups, local tourism associations, or Landcare groups about the resurfacing of this major contentious environmental issue. In 1996 the Minister for Mines Norman Moore promised that if Cable Sands did not proceed with a mine the excised land should be returned to its National Park tenure – (ref: Hon Norman Moore – Hansard – 25th May 1996). The Minister also demanded that CSIRO do a detailed hydrological study and that the EPA do an environmental assessment of the proposal to mine.
#yoondadadupnomine
#lakejaspernomine