While there have been plenty of great camping spots lost to commercial ventures over the years, a local council in WA’s Goldfields region is determined to ensure another one isn’t added to the list.
But it isn’t property developers that the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder is concerned about … it’s the slow spread of mining activity.
The council has unanimously voted to support a motion to seek additional protection for the Lake Douglas reserve south-west of the city. It decided it needed to make the move in order to try to preserve the popular camping and fishing spot from ‘encroaching’ mining applications.
The Kalgoorlie Miner newspaper reports that Cr Nardia Turner told a recent council meeting she was pleased city staff had paid attention to the ‘very important’ motion.
Is mining more 'valuable' than camping ... or is it the other way around?
“Mining is an integral part of our city, however, we can’t let it overshadow and overtake things,” she said. “(We can’t) turn a blind eye if we don’t think that something’s happening that’s the right thing to happen for all of our community … it’s a really important part of our city and our community, I’d like it to be protected however we can.”
The Kalgoorlie Miner says the city will now request the minister refuse current mining tenement applications before it applies for an exemption protecting those land parcels in liaison with the Shire of Coolgardie. The motion seeks to protect it from any activity that might affect its primary purposes of recreation and conservation.
City mayor Glenn Wilson told the newspaper the decision was a ‘strategic approach’ to protect the reserve.
“We’re seeing an increased number of mining tenements and licence applications encroaching on the reserve,” he said. “We are promoting and we are advocating for the protection of the Lake Douglas reserve to ensure that it remains in the future and is not encroached on by mining activities.”
He said going forward the council would seek consultation on whether protection should be sought for other reserves.
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Yes.
Thank the lord, sanity prevails at last. Rape and pillage of our country stalled for a while.
Yes, the minerals can only be taken by once. Then the site should be returned to original condition. But it seldom is! They could rebuild a lake but it would not be natural. If they leave it untouched then generations will get enjoyment from it. This may become even more important as time passes. Please leave it alone
It’s a noble gesture to try limiting the issue of mining licences and allow multiple recreational pursuits. But having read about the rapid expansion of coal mining that squeezes residents out of agricultural areas, I’m doubtful that a state minister would want to curtail the profits of mining companies. Apparently nothing will stop the state from acquiring the rights to minerals – not even “protected” vegetation reserves. However, the environmental impact assessment process practically ignores social impacts in favour of mining production. Recreation is a community need, so mining companies must balance social needs as well as economic needs.