From One Tree Hill Road, in the Eltham-Kinglake foothills, Melbourne's CBD looks like Camelot. The Wurundjeri-willam clan of the Kulin Nation are the traditional custodians of this country. However, after gold was discovered in Warrandyte in 1851 there was an influx of miners who combed the hills, burrowed like wombats, turned everything upside-down, cleared the forest and polluted the creeks. After the gold rush petered out, most of the mines scattered about the region were abandoned.
Through all this the bush was remarkably resilient.
Committed land managers, conservation groups and property owners have all assisted its recovery. Veteran ranger Cam Beardsell, for example, worked tirelessly to secure the vulnerable St Andrews Wine-lipped Spider-orchid and our slender-tailed dunnarts.
Its sights, sounds and smells continue to charm residents and visitors alike.”
In 1993 two mines were reopened and operated on a small-scale by respected local man Stan Bone: One Tree Hill mine and Black Cameron mine. After Stan retired about ten years ago, a West Australian mining company bought his two licences but has only scratched around until recently.
Many local residents were unaware of this company's acquisition of the mines and were surprised to discover recently that commercial mining activity in the area has not only resumed but gathered speed.
Neighbours are concerned about sharing narrow, winding, dirt roads with up to 15 mining trucks a week.”
Neighbours are concerned about sharing narrow, winding, dirt roads with up to 15 mining trucks a week. Many of us are deeply uncomfortable that commercial mining is taking place in a residential (if bushy) neighbourhood, within 40 kilometres of the CBD, inside two nature reserves and a Green Wedge.
After news of the latest mining activity broke late last year, the company director held a Q&A session at a local general store.
It was at 8.00am on a week-day morning. Invitees who spoke either passionately supported the mining or seemed almost indifferent to it. Those who voiced concerns about the mining attended without an invitation.
The director of the company is an impressive man. He is young, charismatic and says he is passionate about minimal-impact mining. Yet in answer to a direct question, he told us he hadn't commissioned an Environmental Effects Statement. It appears that he has never engaged an ecologist to advise him and has been unable to find ways of collaborating with Trust for Nature, a Victorian conservation organisation.
Neither he nor his geologist (who was present at the meeting) demonstrated even an entry-level understanding of our local environment. The director indicated that the mining would go ahead even if the local community opposed it. The company geologist told us that a "rare bat will die if One Tree Hill mine does not open". I am not sure how the survival of vulnerable Common Bent-wing Bats might depend on regular blasting in their refuge. They are one of just many resident creatures at risk from this mine.
"He told us he hadn't commissioned an Environmental Effects Statement, has never engaged an ecologist and has been unable to find ways of collaborating with Trust for Nature.”
Recently, gold has risen to record highs above $6,000 an ounce and its value will continue to rise while countries around the world want to reduce their dependence on the US dollar. Thanks to the existence of an enveloping exploration permit, anyone on a bush block within a 50 square kilometre area can be enticed to agree to reopening an old mine on their property.
Otherwise, we will see realised Sir Henry Bolte's 1970 vision of Victoria becoming "the world's quarry".”Photo credit: Deb Oliver
This could mean we see more old mining sites reopened in our local areas, more species at risk and all without clear support from the local community.
Legislation designed to protect the natural environment needs to do just that, and be tightened where necessary. The regulatory process needs to truly transparent and accessible. Once licences have been granted or renewed, obligatory environmental safeguards must be strictly enforced.
Otherwise, we will see realised Sir Henry Bolte's 1970 vision of Victoria becoming "the world's quarry".