A gold-mining licence in a water catchment area of the Wombat State Forest, near Spargo Creek, has been met with objections from environmental groups, which say the works could potentially taint the water quality in Ballan, Pykes Creek and Melton.
The newly formed Department of State Development and Business Innovation (DSDBI) approved Armstrong Constructions’ mining licence on May 3, but details of the approval have only recently emerged.
The approval is for a 37-hectare mine near Spargo Creek for a five-year period.
The area is in a water catchment for the Werribee River. The Wombat Forestcare (WFC) group has confirmed it is also a water catchment area for six major rivers, and says mining would threaten 28 flora and 17 fauna species.
“The areas haven’t been surveyed properly,” WFC spokeswoman Gayle Osborne said. “We’re concerned that mining and exploration take precedence over protection of water and biodiversity.”
Previously, mining licences were issued by the Department of Primary Industries; they are now issued through the DSDBI because of government restructuring. A WFC report estimates about 10 mining licences are operating in the Wombat State Forest, although there has been no work other than exploration.
The proposed Armstrong Constructions works program entails hard rock, open-cut, underground mining and bulk sampling.
Werribee River Association president John Forrester said the planned mining site was where the Werribee River’s headwaters began.
“It’s where our river starts and if there was any sediment and chemicals, Ballan would be the first stop for these loads,” Mr Forrester said.
“There are two large reservoirs at Pykes Creek and Melton which go to the town and they’d be affected. The river has precious values and we’re concerned about the quality of water and impact on the community.”
Western Region Environment Centre director Harry van Moorst said the damage that both mining and exploration of the site could do was unjustified. “They have the permits and government support, but the government doesn’t know the extent of the technology they’ll use,” he said. “They need to come clean on what they intend to do.”
A DSDBI spokesman said no work plan had been approved or submitted for this licence, which was mandatory before any “ground-disturbing” exploration or mining works could begin.
Armstrong Constructions declined to comment when contacted by Star Weekly.
