Voices of the Meander Valley Shines Light on Bauxite Mine Threat

The Meander Valley is facing a decision that will shape its future — and a powerful new documentary is making sure the community’s voice is heard before it’s too late.

On Saturday, 10 May 2025, internationally acclaimed filmmaker Eugenie Dumont will premiere Voices of the Meander Valley, a compelling and urgent film capturing the fears, determination, and growing resistance to the proposed ABx bauxite mine at Reedy Marsh.

Dumont is no stranger to critical environmental battles. Her earlier documentary, Heritage Fight, played a major role in the successful campaign to stop Woodside’s plans to build one of the world’s largest liquefied natural gas plants on Aboriginal land in Broome, Western Australia.
That film demonstrated the power of storytelling to unite communities, influence public opinion, and protect precious places from irreversible destruction.

Now, through Voices of the Meander Valley, Dumont turns her lens on Tasmania — where farmland, clean water, and the future of one of the state's most celebrated regions are at risk.

This is not a distant threat. It’s here, now, and it demands action,” says Dumont.

“Through this film, we show why standing together matters — before what makes this place special is lost forever.”

Supported by Mine Watch Meander Valley, the film forms part of a broader campaign to educate and inform residents about the serious social, environmental, and economic risks of the ABx project.

The timing is critical:
The Meander Valley Council will vote on ABx’s planning application on 13 May 2025, with the full agenda and planning report to be released on 8 May 2025.

Through powerful imagery and personal testimony, Voices of the Meander Valley reveals exactly what is at stake — not just land and water, but the livelihoods, identity, and future of the entire Valley.

Approving the ABx mine would not only endanger the environment — it would put the Valley’s brand, community trust, and way of life at risk.It would open the door to large-scale industrial mining across farmland and forests, damaging the region’s reputation for clean air, natural beauty, and thriving agriculture.

It would also pave the way for rare earth element (REE) mining — operations that pose even greater risks to human health, water quality, and the broader environment.
Once this door is opened, it will be almost impossible to close.

The community is invited to the premiere to see firsthand what is under threat — and to stand with those working to protect the Meander Valley’s future.

Event Details:

Film Title: Voices of the Meander Valley
Date: Saturday, 10 May 2025
Location: Deloraine
Time: 6pm
Door Tickets Only $15 Under 12 free

Key Dates to Remember:

8 May 2025: Council agenda and planning report released
10 May 2025: Film premiere
13 May 2025: Council vote on ABx Planning Application

Media Inquiries:

Leigh Wasserfall 0402 404 660

Eugenie Dumont 33 6 79104521

About Mine Watch Meander Valley:

Mine Watch Meander Valley is a grassroots community group committed to protecting the Meander Valley’s land, water, health, and economic future from the risks of industrial mining.

About Eugenie Dumont:

Eugenie Dumont is an internationally recognised documentary filmmaker known for capturing critical environmental and human rights battles. Her acclaimed film Heritage Fight helped expose and halt Woodside’s proposed gas plant in Broome, Western Australia. Dumont’s work demonstrates the power of filmmaking to protect culture, community, and land.

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

Voices of the Meander Valley Shines Light on Bauxite Mine Threat

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