Meander Valley Council’s Obligation to Uphold Northern Tasmania Land Use Strategy

Wednesday 2nd April 2025

Regional Land Use Strategy in accordance with section 5A of the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993.

The Meander Valley Council has a clear responsibility to uphold the principles outlined in the Northern Tasmania Regional Land Use Strategy.

This document sets the framework for sustainable development, environmental conservation, and responsible land and water management. Any decision made by the Council regarding the proposed bauxite mine must align with these policies, yet the very nature of such a project fly in the face of these strategic objectives.

Protecting Rural Land Use and Agriculture

One of the key purposes of rural land use zones is to ensure that agricultural and agribusiness activities are not unreasonably constrained by incompatible development. The strategy specifically states:

"Protect quality agricultural land from incompatible development and provide for the expansion of agricultural production in Productive Resource Areas."

Bauxite mining is inherently incompatible with agricultural land use. The process of extraction and refining involves land clearing, soil disruption, and potential contamination of water sources, all of which directly threaten the viability of agriculture in the Meander Valley. The Council is obligated to prevent such developments that undermine the sustainability and productivity of local farming industries.

Safeguarding Water Resources

Water management policies are central to the land use strategy, ensuring that water quality is maintained for agricultural, ecological, and residential use. The strategy mandates that secondary or non-agricultural land uses should only be permitted "where water quality... is not adversely impacted."

Bauxite mining poses significant risks to local waterways due to:

Increased sedimentation and potential heavy metal contamination
Large-scale water consumption impacting availability for farms and residents
Risks of groundwater depletion and pollution

Given these threats, approving the bauxite mine would be a direct violation of the Council’s obligation to maintain water quality and ensure the long-term sustainability of the region’s water resources.

Preserving Natural Environment Areas

The strategy explicitly states that Natural Environment Areas must promote and protect:

Regionally significant landscapes
Biodiversity areas, including ecosystems that are endangered, threatened, or vulnerable
Forests, reserves, and open space areas

The Meander Valley is known for its rich biodiversity, pristine landscapes, and ecological significance. Bauxite mining would lead to habitat destruction, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity—directly contravening the Council’s responsibility to safeguard these natural assets.

Commitment to Sustainable Land Use

The Northern Tasmania Regional Land Use Strategy does not oppose development outright but emphasises that any development must be fair, orderly, and sustainable. This means:

Ensuring new developments do not undermine existing land uses
Preventing environmental degradation that could impact future generations
Encouraging land use that aligns with community well-being and ecological preservation

Abx's proposed bauxite mine is in direct conflict with these principles. It jeopardises agriculture, threatens water security, endangers natural ecosystems, and disrupts the rural character of the Meander Valley.

The Council’s Duty to Act in the Public Interest

As stewards of local planning and resource management, the Meander Valley Council must prioritise the long-term interests of the community over short-term industrial gains. Allowing a development that contradicts the fundamental principles of the Northern Tasmania Regional Land Use Strategy would not only be an environmental and economic misstep but a failure of governance.

The people of Meander Valley deserve a planning process that upholds their rights, protects their land, and ensures a sustainable future. It is the Council’s duty to enforce the policies set out in the regional strategy and reject proposals that threaten the integrity of the region’s land, water, and natural heritage.

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

Meander Valley Council’s Obligation to Uphold Northern Tasmania Land Use Strategy

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