Govt must act on CEMEX quarry
03-June-2009
“I share the serious concerns of local residents that the proposed CEMEX quarry will have a significant impact on the natural and built environment of the Chiltern area,” Sophie Mirabella MP, Federal Liberal Member for Indi said today.
I thank everyone who has met with me directly or contacted my office to express their concern in regards to the CEMEX proposal to build a quarry on Skeleton Hill, Chiltern.”
Skeleton Hill is a significant landmark in North-East Victoria. The proposed quarry site will affect the current landscape of Skeleton Hill, a landscape that is admired by both locals and visitors to the region,” Mrs Mirabella said.
“I am also concerned by the impact the quarry may have on local properties in and around the Chiltern township, including a number of heritage listed properties.”
“I asked the Federal Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts to declare the proposed quarry a controlled action under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Accordingly, the Minister has announced that the proposed quarry will be considered a controlled action to be assessed by preliminary documentation,” Mrs Mirabella said.
“The EPBC Act aims to provide for the protection of the environment, with the aim of the conservation of Australian biodiversity as well as to protect important natural places. The Department must now assess the potential impact the quarry will have on native vegetation and endangered wildlife such as the Regent Honeyeater.”
I have also written to the Victorian Minister for Planning to urge him to take the potential effect that the proposed quarry could have on the properties located in and around Chiltern into consideration when he is considering CEMEX’s proposal,” Mrs Mirabella said.
As Minister for Planning, he has a responsibility to ensure that the people of Chiltern will not be disadvantaged by the proposed CEMEX quarry.”
“The recent denial from Indigo Council of CEMEX claims that it told the multinational company that the Indigo Valley was ‘off limits’ confirms residents’ concerns that CEMEX’ submission to the Victorian Government should not be trusted,” Mrs Mirabella said.
“I have asked the Planning Minister to conduct his own investigations into CEMEX’s proposal rather than relying on the information as provided by the company itself. I hope that after the recent revelations the Minister will finally listen and act on behalf of local Chiltern residents,” Mrs Mirabella concluded.