July 8, 2010 - The neighbouring rural shires of Murray and Serpentine-Jarrahdale have refused a zircon sand mining proposal on their shared border near North Dandalup and Keysbrook over health concerns for humans and livestock.
Environment Minister Donna Faragher approved the proposal last October and proponent Matilda Zircon Pty Ltd has lodged an appeal against the decisions with the State Administrative Tribunal, which will meet to discuss the matter on July 16.
Murray chief executive Dean Unsworth said the company had lodged its appeal because the council did not deal with the heavy minerals mining application within the specified 60-day period.
Health concerns related to dust and radiation impacts from zircon extraction were a key concern for both councils.
A report by Serpentine-Jarrahdale senior planner Colleen Murphy stated that a 2007 EPA bulletin noted Matilda's air quality modelling for the proposal showed airborne dust concentrations would exceed the National Environmental Protection Measure at some homes, especially during the summer pattern of strong easterly evening winds.
No updated dust management plan addressing these issues had been made available to the community or Shire.
Ms Murphy said Health Department advice suggested the proponent did not fully understand the potential health issues, and EPA assessments did not always cover health concerns. She said it was not appropriate to assume there would be no adverse impacts.
The company's application stated the mine would not cause health or mental health impacts such as respiratory diseases, depression and lowered immunity but Ms Murphy said the application provided no justification for the prediction.
Safety data sheets for zircon available on the internet state the sand can be an irritant to eyes and lungs, causing respiratory symptoms if inhaled.
Zircon contains naturally occurring radioactive elements that could result in internal and external exposure resulting in doses of thorium and uranium.
It also contains silica, classified as a human carcinogen, known to cause lung fibrosis.
Matilda Zircon spokesman said the mining proposal had progressed through a comprehensive environmental approval process resulting in environmental authorisation, based on detailed scientific and technical assessment and extensive public consultation.
He said the environmental regulators required significant revegetation of the site, regular compliance reporting and assessment through the life of the proposal, a performance bond and the approval of management plans by the Environment Minister.
"Management plans address protection of native vegetation, watercourses and wetlands, rehabilitation and nutrient mobilisation, dieback, noise, air quality, dust, acid sulphate soils and water management. We will continue to work with all stakeholders," he said.
Environment Minister Donna Faragher said the EPA had thoroughly assessed the proposal.
"Subsequent appeals were addressed by the Appeals Convenor, and I imposed the stringent conditions to address possible environmental impacts after considering the EPA's recommendations and the Appeals Convenor's Report," she said.
Environment Minister Donna Faragher approved the proposal last October and proponent Matilda Zircon Pty Ltd has lodged an appeal against the decisions with the State Administrative Tribunal, which will meet to discuss the matter on July 16.
Murray chief executive Dean Unsworth said the company had lodged its appeal because the council did not deal with the heavy minerals mining application within the specified 60-day period.
Health concerns related to dust and radiation impacts from zircon extraction were a key concern for both councils.
A report by Serpentine-Jarrahdale senior planner Colleen Murphy stated that a 2007 EPA bulletin noted Matilda's air quality modelling for the proposal showed airborne dust concentrations would exceed the National Environmental Protection Measure at some homes, especially during the summer pattern of strong easterly evening winds.
No updated dust management plan addressing these issues had been made available to the community or Shire.
Ms Murphy said Health Department advice suggested the proponent did not fully understand the potential health issues, and EPA assessments did not always cover health concerns. She said it was not appropriate to assume there would be no adverse impacts.
The company's application stated the mine would not cause health or mental health impacts such as respiratory diseases, depression and lowered immunity but Ms Murphy said the application provided no justification for the prediction.
Safety data sheets for zircon available on the internet state the sand can be an irritant to eyes and lungs, causing respiratory symptoms if inhaled.
Zircon contains naturally occurring radioactive elements that could result in internal and external exposure resulting in doses of thorium and uranium.
It also contains silica, classified as a human carcinogen, known to cause lung fibrosis.
Matilda Zircon spokesman said the mining proposal had progressed through a comprehensive environmental approval process resulting in environmental authorisation, based on detailed scientific and technical assessment and extensive public consultation.
He said the environmental regulators required significant revegetation of the site, regular compliance reporting and assessment through the life of the proposal, a performance bond and the approval of management plans by the Environment Minister.
"Management plans address protection of native vegetation, watercourses and wetlands, rehabilitation and nutrient mobilisation, dieback, noise, air quality, dust, acid sulphate soils and water management. We will continue to work with all stakeholders," he said.
Environment Minister Donna Faragher said the EPA had thoroughly assessed the proposal.
"Subsequent appeals were addressed by the Appeals Convenor, and I imposed the stringent conditions to address possible environmental impacts after considering the EPA's recommendations and the Appeals Convenor's Report," she said.
