Questions for the Local Meander Councillors

Wednesday 19th March 2025

Environmental and Conservation Concerns

What independent ecological assessments have been conducted to verify the mitigation measures proposed by ABx4 Pty Ltd?
How does Council plan to ensure the protection of threatened vegetation and wildlife habitats in the Reedy Marsh area?
Given the mine’s proximity to the Brushy Rivulet Conservation Area, what safeguards will be in place to prevent dust and water runoff contamination?
Has Council considered the long-term ecological impact of industrial activity in a high-conservation-value area?

Land Use and Strategic Planning

How does the proposed mine align with the Meander Valley Council’s strategic vision for sustainable land use and agricultural resilience?
Has an independent assessment been conducted to evaluate the economic impact of losing prime agricultural land to mining operations?
What analysis has been done to assess the long-term economic benefits versus losses to tourism, small businesses, and lifestyle-based industries?

Infrastructure, Road Safety, and Community Burden

Has Council commissioned a Traffic Impact Assessment to evaluate the increased heavy vehicle movements on local roads?
What measures will be implemented to ensure that the costs of road degradation and maintenance do not fall on ratepayers?
How will Council address the risks posed to school transport and local commuters by increased heavy vehicle traffic?
What enforcement mechanisms are in place to ensure compliance with noise and dust management regulations?

Community Consultation and Social Licence

What steps has Council taken to ensure that community consultation was meaningful, transparent, and inclusive?
How does Council plan to address residents’ concerns about property devaluation and declining liveability due to mining activities?
What are the legal and financial responsibilities of Council if residents suffer economic losses from property devaluation?

Climate Resilience and Long-Term Sustainability

Has the Council evaluated whether the ABx4 mining project aligns with local and state climate resilience strategies?
What contingency plans are in place for extreme weather events, erosion, and long-term site rehabilitation?
What assurances exist that rehabilitation efforts will restore the land to productive or environmentally viable use post-mining?

Analysis of EPA Assessment and Public Health Risks

How does Council plan to ensure independent oversight of dust management and air quality control measures?
What requirements will Council impose to ensure baseline water testing, AMD risk analysis, and long-term compliance monitoring?
Will Council advocate for real-time public air quality monitoring in affected areas?

Economic and Tourism Impact

Has an independent economic impact study been conducted to assess the trade-offs between mining jobs and potential losses in tourism and agribusiness revenue?
What strategies are in place to protect key tourism areas from the negative impacts of mining activities?
How will Council ensure that local businesses and tourism operators do not suffer economic setbacks due to the industrial footprint of the mine?

Final Considerations

Given the significant risks and unresolved concerns, what justifications could be used to approve this project over the long-term well-being of the Meander Valley community?
Will Council formally oppose this proposal based on the overwhelming environmental, social, and economic concerns raised?

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