Gippsland › Latest news › East Gippsland Local News

Minister for Planning Richard Wynne shuts down Fingerboards Mineral Sands Project due to unacceptable environmental effects

Council is grateful for those who participated in the environmental effects statement and IAC hearing processes.

By news@gippsland - 24th November 2021 - Back to News

East Gippsland Shire Council Mayor Cr Mark Reeves has thanked Minister for Planning Richard Wynne for announcing his decision on the proposed Fingerboards Mineral Sands Project. "The Minister's assessment that the project would have unacceptable environmental effects vindicates the adopted position Council had taken. This decision gives our community some clarity on the future and an opportunity to move forward after a lengthy process," Cr Reeves said.

The assessment on Fingerboards mineral sands mine near Bairnsdale in Victoria concluded and said that the project would have posed significant risks to surface water downstream of the proposed mine

Documented serious concerns

Cr Mark Reeves said, "I strongly believe that the previous council's decision to have an independent technical assessment prepared on the potential impacts of the proposed mine, and the decision by the current council to highlight the deficiencies in the project have assisted the Minister in making this determination."

"Council had documented its serious concerns about the mine, in particular the threat it posed to endangered species and ecological communities, the potential for ground and surface water contamination, dust and radiation pollution, impacts on the surrounding road networks and the potential diversion of water from East Gippsland's most productive agricultural land."

"Council thanks everyone who participated in the Environmental Effects Statement and IAC hearing processes, for their interest in the future of our community."Mr Reeves said.

Pictures from Chuffed.org website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Fingerboards Mineral Sands Project Environmental Effects Statement (EES) and Inquiry and Advisory Committee (IAC) hearing cost East Gippsland Shire Council $730,688
  Total external cost hearing of the fingerboards mineral sands project.
• Justice Melinda Richards of the Victorian Supreme Court shuts down the majority of timber harvesting in East Gippsland
  A decision by Justice Richards in the Supreme Court yesterday has delivered a shocking Christmas blow to timber industry workers in East Gippsland.
• Hearing concludes for Fingerboards Mineral Sands Project inquiry on why Environmental Effects Statement considered deficient
  Hearing conclusion on the environmental effects statement.
• Parks Minister Lily D'Ambrosio should apologise to East Gippsland businesses for slow response to repair bushfire damage
  New staff to help repair infrastructure damaged during the two-year ago bushfires has finally been announced.
• Russell Northe questions Minister on when decision on proposed Delburn Wind Farm will be made
  Member for Morwell, Russell Northe has last week in Parliament questioned the Minister for Planning as to when a decision on the proposed Delburn Wind Farm is likely to be made.
• Planning Institute of Australia award for improving planning processes won by East Gippsland Shire Council
  East Gippsland Shire Council and Brimbank City Council have jointly won a Planning Institute of Australia award for improving planning processes.
• Darren Chester writes to Minister Bridget McKenzie after Sarsfield community shockingly misses out on bushfire recovery funding
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has urged the government to intervene immediately and fix a "farcical situation" which has seen community-led bushfire recovery projects excluded from consideration for recovery grants.
• Tim Bull says Environment Minister Lily D'Ambrosio failure to ensure Buchan pool and East Cape Boardwalk are safe is disgraceful
  Lack of comprehension and no appetite from the government to reopen Buchan, also, lack of interest in reopening it has disappointed many in the community.
• Tim Bull Statement on Fingerboards Mineral Sands project not proceeding in its current form in 2021
  The proposed Fingerboards Mineral Sands Mine near Bairnsdale will not proceed in its current form.
• Federal Tourism Minister Dan Teham MP joins One Gippsland as board member
  One Gippsland has welcomed an influential new member with Destination Gippsland joining the Board to help drive the alliance's tourism agenda.
• Victoria's Agriculture Minister dismissive on looming Christmas supply disruptions from timber shortage
  With the loss of jobs in small timber communities could result to Christmas grocery shortages with some supermarkets desperate for pallets, and this is what the Labor government needs to understand before releasing the native timber policy.
• Sarsfield community ecstatic after Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce funds new community hall, playground and other infrastructure from Community Development Grants Program
  The East Gippsland community of Sarsfield celebrates the announcement of receiving funds under the Community Development Grants Program to construct new infrastructures.
• James Reid - Baw Baw Shire Planning Director departs to pursue potentially career-defining project in professional planning
  Baw Baw Shire Council Director of Planning and Development James Reid to pursue a role with the Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust.
• East Gippsland Shire Council supports Prime Minister Scott Morrison net-zero carbon emissions by 2050
  East Gippsland Shire Council has written to Prime Minister Scott Morrison to express its support for a target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
• Number of planning applications is good news for economic growth in East Gippsland
  East Gippsland Shire Council is supporting the region's economic growth through well-considered planning decisions.
• Gippsland Performing Arts Centre officially opened by Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas as centerpiece of the $42M Latrobe Creative Precinct
  The much-anticipated Gippsland Performing Arts Centre has opened its doors to the public, with the state-of-the-art space to become a drawcard for locals and visitors bringing top acts to the region.
• Baw Baw Shire Council makes big improvements to town planning to maximise effect of being one of Victoria's fastest growing regions
  Baw Baw Shire Council, one of the fastest growing regions of Victoria, is taking proactive steps to align Planning outcomes with the needs and desires of the local community in the face of unprecedented rates of development.
• Baw Baw Council adopts planning scheme amendment for Drouin CBD
  Community feedback sought by the council has helped shape the design and development of Drouin's central business district.
• Leanne Hurst appointed as Director of Planning and Development for Baw Baw Shire Council
  Baw Baw Shire appoints a new director for planning and development.
• Andrews Labor government all quiet on planning for Traralgon highway bypass
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says it's critical the Andrews Government accelerates the consultation process for the final planning and design of the long-awaited Traralgon bypass.
• Campaign to identify Victoria's most dangerous and hazardous roads launched by Shadow Minister for Roads Steph Ryan with Matthew Guy
  Victorians are being asked to name the state's worst roads in a new campaign to identify the most dangerous hazards that are risking lives on our roads every single day.
• Dog friendly holiday accommodation in Gippsland when planning your next family break
  Dog lovers, think beyond accommodation where you're permitted to bring your dog, to next-level pooch-dedicated resorts.
• Project Reference Group appointed to help guide design, advocacy and delivery of the Baw Baw Culture and Connection Precinct
  A project Reference Group (PRG) has been formally appointed by council to help guide design, advocacy and delivery of the proposed Baw Baw Culture and Connection Precinct.
• Lake Guyatt Environmental Education Centre with $650,000 construction grant from Wellington Shire Council
  Construction is underway on the Lake Guyatt Environmental Education Centre, a new space for events and learning programs with a focus on sustainability and culture.
• Three year health project for children and young people started by East Gippsland Shire Council and VicHealth
  Children and young people will be the centre of a three-year East Gippsland Shire Council project looking to help younger residents grow up active, healthy and socially connected.
• Street light project in South Gippsland Shire will save $9.4M in energy and capital costs when completed
  Street lighting project is nearing its completion, the remaining 270 inefficient streetlights in South Gippsland Shire will be replaced later this year.
• Andrews Labor government mismanagement of major projects raises red flags to regional Victoria when hosting 2026 Commonwealth Games
  Long-term strategic planning of a 2026 Commonwealth Games will be crucial if regional Victoria is to reap the full benefit of infrastructure upgrades and promotional activities that the event will require.
• Landcare Australia gets bushfire environmental recovery boost of $3.8 million from federal wildlife and habitat recovery for East Gippsland
  Nearly 20 projects in East Gippsland will receive funding to aid the recovery of native wildlife and habitat severely impacted by the 2019/20 black summer bushfires.
• Place making projects for Nilma North, Tanjil Bren and Tetoora Road to start development
  Council has endorsed the 2021/22 Placemaking Program to benefit the smaller townships of Nilma North, Tanjil Bren and Tetoora Road.
• Feedback wanted on update to flood map overlays in amendments to Baw Baw planning scheme
  A proposed amendment to the Baw Baw Planning Scheme to update flood maps for existing overlay controls is now on public exhibition.
• South Gippsland Shire Council encourages community to help shape projects and services with 'Your say South Gippsland' online service
  Your Say South Gippsland is a one-stop shop for all Council feedback opportunities goes live!
• Latrobe Valley Blue Hydrogen project gets $2.98M support from federal government and Latrobe City Council
  Latrobe City Council welcomes the federal government's $2.98 million commitment to the Latrobe Valley Blue Hydrogen project by Zero Degrees Rosella.
• Two representatives for Lake Guyatt Environmental Education Centre Advisory Committee in Wellington Shire
  Wellington Shire Council is seeking two people to represent the community on the Lake Guyatt Environmental Education Centre Advisory Committee.
• Russell Northe argues for more funding projects in Latrobe Valley be included in Andrews Labor government Victorian 2022-23 budget
  Member for Morwell, Russell Northe says he is hopeful of a number of projects in the Morwell electorate being funded through the state governments budget which is handed down next Tuesday 3 May.
• Heavy cuts for regional Victoria in 2022/23 budget due to record debts and costs blowouts from major projects by Andrews Labor government
  Regional Victorians are set to cop further cuts to services and find it even harder to buy a home with today's State Budget no more than a PR repair plan for Daniel Andrews.
• Cunninghame Arm community-driven project in Lakes Entrance boardwalk gets $5.8M federal government funding to make it work for all-abilities
  Work to construct an all-abilities boardwalk and shared pathway around the shores of Cunninghame Arm in Lakes Entrance will start this year thanks to $5.8 million in federal government funding.
• Latrobe City Council helps secure $117M funding for local projects from Victorian 2022/23 budget
  Latrobe City Council thanks the State Government for their investment in local projects as part of the 2022/23 Budget.
• Concern over delays to rollout of Murray Basin Rail Project East expresses by Gippsland Shire Council to Andrews Labor government
  Council backed a request from the Rail Freight Alliance (RFA), of which Council is a member, to join a statewide call to get the project back on track ahead of the Victorian State Election.
• East Gippsland Shire Council notes possible licencing reapplication for mineral sand mine in Glenaladale
  East Gippsland Shire Council notes recent reports regarding a possible licencing reapplication for a mineral sand mine in Glenaladale.
• Surf Beach and Sunderland Bay Project concept plans need community feedback from Bass Coast residents
  Bass Coast Shire Council will continue its development of concept plans for the potential special charge scheme for road and drainage upgrade works for the Surf Beach and Sunderland Bay estates.
• Community feedback wanted on Baw Baw Shire Council Environmental Sustainability Strategy
  Council is seeking valuable community input to guide the development of a new environmental sustainability strategy for Baw Baw Shire.
• Round two applications open to join Project Reference Group for Baw Baw Culture and Connection Precinct
  A second round of applications are now open for community members to join a Project Reference Group (PRG) for the proposed Baw Baw Culture and Connection Precinct.
• York Street Revitalisation project gets $11.68 M federal funding for Wellington Shire
  Major upgrade of York Street to entice travelling motorists to stop and explore Sale, as well as improve ride quality and traffic safety, is a step closer to being completed.
• Major community infrastructure, road and recreation projects are key priorities for Baw Baw Shire Council in 2021/22
  Major community infrastructure, road and recreation projects are among Baw Baw Shire Council's key advocacy priorities for the year ahead.
• Macalister Resilience and Critical Infrastructure project gets $2.5M federal funding to improve pathway to Gippsland water security
  The Macalister Resilience and Critical Infrastructure project will receive $2.5 million in federal government funding.
• East Gippsland Shire Council is urging Andrews Labor government to consider mental health with regional lockdowns and restrictions
  East Gippsland Shire Council is urging the Victorian Government to consider the mental health and wellbeing of its regional residents when making upcoming decisions relating to COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns.
• Guide Park Redevelopment $1.77 M project in Bass Coast Shire to begin early 2022
  Bass Coast Shire Council awarded the tender for the Project at its December meeting.
• Darren Chester challenges Victorian Labor politicians to reject plan to shut down timber industry in Gippsland
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is challenging Victorian Labor politicians to reject the Andrews Government plan to shut down the native hardwood timber industry by 2030.
• Shift: the work life balance project runs next in Toora on 17 August 2021
  Event workshops to engage with people who work non-traditional hours.
• South Gippsland Shire Council rates due 15 February 2022
  Rates are due in full by 15 February unless you have elected to pay by an instalment or payment plan.
• Final stage of Warmer Pool for Yarram Upgrade Project results in temporary pool closure
  The final stage of the Warmer Pool for Yarram Project will begin this month, after significant delays in the delivery of steel, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Local community invited celebrate completion of solar energy project at Coronet Bay Community Hall in Bass Coast
  Bass Coast Shire Council is inviting the community to celebrate the completion of the solar energy project at Coronet Bay Community Hall this month.