No Bauxite Mining in the Meander Valley

The proposed ABX bauxite mine in the Meander Valley raises significant concerns for our community, as it appears to be just the beginning of much larger mining ambitions. ABx's currently holds exploration licenses spanning Reedy Marsh, Selbourne, and nearby nature reserves. This mining proposal is not just about bauxite—it’s a stepping stone for ABX’s future plans, including the extraction of rare earth elements (REE) mining.

Mining & Exploration Licences over the Meander Valley

ABx’s own communications, including their website and YouTube Channel, strongly emphasise their interest in REE extraction, which carries its own environmental and operational risks. https://youtu.be/3nURFoqf-Tk?si=j0C9u1eTOAA4u3T1

This current proposal for bauxite mining would involve strip-mining operations on Class 3 agricultural land, one of the most fertile and productive types of land in Tasmania.

The bauxite extracted from the Meander Valley is not intended for aluminium production but is to be exported to South Australia for use in cement manufacturing at Adbri’s Birkenhead kiln. This facility, long known as Adelaide Brighton Cement, has faced ongoing community, environmental and health concerns, for decades.

In July 2024, the EPA issued an environment protection order against Adbri for failing to implement best available technology to mitigate particulate emissions. Residents living around the Birkenhead site are suffering major health issues, damage to their air, water and environment, caused by the facility'soperations.

https://www.tammyfranks.org.au/speech_adelaide_brighton_cement_factory_adbri

This raises critical questions about the long-term value and sustainability of such operations both in our valley and the Birkenhead and Port Adelaide communities. What are the real benefits for the local communities? The answer seems to be: none.

This proposed mine has no Social Licence to operate. It threatens to permanently degrade our prime agricultural land, harm local ecosystems and our water resoures, and affect the region's tourism and creative industries. All this without delivering meaningful economic

Reedy Marsh Resident's Voices

For those of us who have chosen to live in the peaceful, healthy environment of Reedy Marsh, the proposed bauxite mine threatens everything we value. Our family has invested in 6.5 hectares of land on the Meander River, dedicating 75% of it to wildlife conservation. We chose this area for its tranquillity, natural beauty, and supportive community. If Meander Valley Council approves the proposed bauxite mine, all of this will be at risk—our investment, our health, and our way of living, our life dreams.

Our Water

Those of us in Reedy Marsh rely entirely on rainwater for drinking and growing our vegetables, the risks are alarming. If this mine goes ahead, our water tanks will be filled with rainwater contaminated by bauxite dust. Our vegetables will be polluted, making them dangerous to eat—for both us and the wildlife that shares our gardens. The health implications are shocking and unacceptable. Bauxite mining doesn’t just harm wildlife—it endangers human health as well. Dust from bauxite mines is known to contain radioactive elements like radium and thorium, which are harmful to both the environment and people. Long-term exposure to these elements can cause cancer and other serious health issues. If high-aluminum concentration of heavy metals in sediments are deposited in the water, it will further dissolve and deposit into fish and benthic creatures.

Our Wildlife

The endangered Wedge-tailed Eagles, with fewer than 1,000 individuals left in the wild, are among the species that stand to lose the most. These magnificent birds are extremely sensitive to disturbances from machinery, habitat destruction, and pollution. The environmental consultants themselves acknowledged in their report that a more thorough survey of the area is needed to understand the full impact on these eagles. Yet, despite the lack of proper study, the project continues to move forward. Other endangered species, such as the Tasmanian Devil and the Spotted Quoll, roam freely across the countryside, and their habitat is also at risk. While we have protected a large portion of our property for these animals, their survival depends on the surrounding environment remaining intact. We cannot allow this bauxite mine to destroy the homes of these creatures. The wildlife in Reedy Marsh is part of what makes this place special—not only to us but to future generations. The irreversible damage to their habitat from machinery, land clearing, and toxic dust would be a tragedy for Tasmania’s biodiversity.

Our River

The Meander River, which borders our property, is another victim of this proposed mine. Toxic chemicals from bauxite mining will leach into the river, damaging the ecosystem and potentially wiping out fish populations. The harmful effects of bauxite dust on marine life are well-documented in places like Malaysia, where entire ecosystems have been devastated. If this mine goes ahead, we risk creating a "dead zone" in our own backyard, where fish, birds, and other wildlife can no longer survive.

Our Call for Action

This mine is not just a development—it’s a direct threat to everything we cherish in Reedy Marsh. Our peaceful lifestyle, our wildlife, our health, and our community are all at stake. We moved here to escape exactly these kinds of industrial risks, and it is inconceivable that Meander Valley Council would approve such a project given the dangers it poses. We strongly urge the Council to reject this proposal and, at the very least, to commission an independent and thorough wildlife survey before any decisions are made. Additionally, if the mine is approved, we recommend extending Deloraine’s town water supply to Reedy Marsh to mitigate the potential health risks posed by contaminated rainwater. This is our home. It’s worth protecting

MINE WATCH - MEANDER VALLEY

No Bauxite Mining in the Meander Valley

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