Agriculture
17 January, 2024
Goschen sand mine development highlights broken EES process: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says farming communities are being prevented from participating in the process for assessing the environmental risk of mining and energy projects leading to bad outcomes for food production. VFF President Emm...
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says farming communities are being prevented fromparticipating in the process for assessing the environmental risk of mining and energy projects
leading to bad outcomes for food production.
VFF President Emma Germano said concerns raised by farmers impacted by the Goschen MineralSands and Rare Earths Project near Swan Hill about public exposure of its Environmental Effects
Statement (EES) occurring during the summer harvest exposed floors in the system.
“Ultimately, not allowing the community to fully participate in the scrutiny of projects leads tounforeseen and poorer outcomes.”
“Farmers feel they are being steamrolled in this process. It is important that the government takes aslow and precautionary approach to mining development to ensure food and fibre production is not
jeopardized.”
Ms Germano has written to Victoria’s Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny requesting an extension tothe public exhibition of the EES for the project.
“Running public consultation in a farming district over the harvest season is tone-deaf and arrogant.
The standard 30-day consultation periods that government use is a joke and the additional 10 daysthat was given in this instance is not meaningful in any way.”
Ms Germano said farming communities need to be better empowered to participate in the EESprocess for mining and energy projects.
“The VFF has long argued the EES process in Victoria must be reformed to better allow impactedcommunities to identify and understand the risks of projects on the environment, food production
and human health.”
“These processes often require scientific and technical expertise which the community does nothave. The Victorian Government had previously undertaken a pilot program that gave support to
community groups impacted by mining proposals so they could be supported through the EESprocess.”
“The VFF has suggested that this type of program be built into the EES process, especially forprojects where the government can grant access to private land without landholder consent.”
“The way EES processes are carried out not only matters in the case of mining developments, but
also the rollout of renewable energy and transmission infrastructure across the state.”
“We are actively raising awareness of these issues across the government so we can help reform
the system,” Ms Germano said.