Bauxite Mining Has No Place in Meander Valley’s Story

Tuesday 1st April 2025

The Meander Valley Council’s new branding strategy is more than a slogan—it is a declaration of who we are. It speaks of fertile land, sustainability, creativity, and a thriving community. It celebrates our shared heritage, our deep connection to the environment, and our commitment to a future where both people and nature flourish.

https://live.standards.site/meandervalley/strategy

Bauxite mining stands in direct opposition to this vision.

How can we claim to “honour and protect the natural world” while permitting an industry that scars our landscapes, contaminates water sources, and disrupts ecosystems?

How can we say we “cultivate and support our community” while allowing mining to divide our people, drive down property values, and jeopardise livelihoods?

How can we promise to “live generously” if we leave future generations with a legacy of environmental damage rather than prosperity?

The Council has an ethical and moral responsibility to protect this brand—not just in words, but in action. To allow mining is not merely a contradiction of our values; it is a betrayal of them.

A “unified region, brimming with opportunity” does not mean selling out our land for short-term industrial gain. It means fostering industries that align with who we are—agriculture, tourism, the creative economy, and sustainable enterprise. It means ensuring that our place brand is more than just a statement—it is a promise we keep.

Now is the time for leadership. Now is the time for Council to stand firm, to protect what makes Meander Valley special, and to reject bauxite mining once and for all. If we truly believe in our story, in our community, and in our future, there is only one choice.

Meander Valley is a place to flourish—not to be exploited.

How can the Meander Valley Council endorse a branding strategy that prioritises sustainability, community, and environmental stewardship while allowing bauxite mining—a destructive and extractive industry—that directly contradicts these values?

What concrete actions will Council take to uphold its ethical and moral duty to protect Meander Valley’s identity, ensuring that industries permitted within our region genuinely align with the values of sustainability, creativity, and community prosperity outlined in the Council’s branding strategy?

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

Bauxite Mining Has No Place in Meander Valley’s Story

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