MINE WATCH - MEANDER VALLEY : "Just the Roads?" – Busting the Myth About Council Power and the ABx Bauxite Proposal

Thursday the 24 April

There’s a popular myth —that when it comes to the ABx bauxite mine proposal at Reedy Marsh, all the Meander Valley Council can do is make sure the trucks have somewhere to turn around. According to this line of thinking, everything else—health, land use, community wellbeing—is out of their hands.

Not true. Not even close.

In reality, local councils like ours have a suite of powers and responsibilities that go far beyond potholes and traffic signs. Many of our Councillors already understand this—and some have stood with the community, asked the tough questions, and called for stronger processes. But for those in the community who’ve been told “it’s not a Council issue,” here’s a helpful rundown of what’s actually possible under Tasmanian law and planning policy.

Council Can Delay or Refuse a Planning Permit

Under Section 20 of the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993, Council must ensure proposed developments align with sustainable land use, public health, and local strategic plans. If key documents—like a Dust and the Stormwater Management Plans—are missing or inadequate, Council has every right to pause or deny approval until the information is complete and independently reviewed.

They’re also allowed (and encouraged!) to seek independent expert advice to verify claims made in developer reports. No need to take everything on glossy paper at face value.

Council Can Request a Public Health Risk Assessment

Worried about air quality? Rainwater contamination? Long-term health effects?

Council can formally request the Director of Public Health to conduct a health risk assessment under the Public Health Act 1997—specifically Section 55. They can also request local inspections of tanks, gardens, and air quality levels under Sections 61 and 62.

We need to understand the data baselines and if risks are identified, health orders can follow—and Council has the authority to support and enforce them.

Council Can Demand Transparency and Public Consultation

For developments requiring discretionary approval—which most mines do—Council has the discretion (see what we did there?) to insist that all key documents are made public, including the full Dust and Stormwater Managemnet Plans.

This means informed public input, not just box-ticked consultation. In fact, community engagement is a core part of local government accountability—and most of our current Councillors value this deeply.

Council Can Defend Agricultural Land and Strategic Planning Goals

The Northern Tasmania Regional Land Use Strategy is very clear: protect high-quality farmland, support rural living, and avoid placing industrial activity in sensitive areas.

Council has an obligation to assess whether this proposal aligns with those goals. If it doesn’t—and if it risks undermining the community’s long-term vision—then Council has every right to recommend refusal. That’s not activism. That’s planning integrity.

Council Can Advocate for the Community

Even where formal powers end, the responsibility to represent the people doesn’t. That includes:

Raising concerns with State Government
Supporting calls for more robust environmental oversight
Lodging submissions to regulatory bodies
Standing in solidarity when the community says: “This proposal doesn't belong here.”

Many of our Councillors are already doing this work—and they deserve support, not cynicism. Advocacy is part of the job, and many are showing how local leadership can rise to meet complex challenges.

When people are told “Council can’t do anything,” their hands are tied ...... it shuts down public engagement. It fosters apathy, not action. And it lets a deeply flawed process roll on under the radar.

It’s about understanding what’s possible. And encouraging Councillors and residents alike to step confidently into their roles.

So yes, traffic matters and road issues are very important. But so is clean water, healthy lungs, community wellbeing, and a future built on something more sustainable than short-term extraction.

Let’s make sure everyone—everyone—knows what local government can actually do. Because when informed people come together with committed representatives, amazing things can happen.

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

"Just the Roads?" – Busting the Myth About Council Power and the ABx Bauxite Proposal