No Mine in Katanning group says endangered species will be further threatened by Ausgold’s Badgebup proposal

A proposal for a gold mine in Badgebup, 30km outside Katanning, has come under fire from an environmental group concerned about the impact the mine will have on wildlife in the area. The No Mine in Katanning campaigners say the mine will threaten Carnaby’s black cockatoos and red-tailed phascogales, whose habitats will be affected by the clearance of nesting trees and bush. The proposal has been developed by Ausgold who estimate the mine would have a 10-year life and, at its peak, would deliver 350 full-time jobs. It says 250 workers, who would be housed in an accommodation facility in Katanning, would be needed for a construction phase lasting 18 months. Ausgold submitted a proposal under the Federal Government’s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act on June 30. A comment period of 10 business days, where people can express their views, is now open. A further submission under State laws to cover wider environmental issues like light, water and biodiversity will come on July 15. A spokesperson for the environmental group said the mine would be a massive blow for wildlife in the area. “All Katanning locals know and love the endangered Carnaby’s black cockatoo and are proud that our shire is one of their significant inland breeding areas,” the spokesperson said. “Yet the gold mine proposed is right amongst their key breeding habitat, including reserves such as Wurgabup and Badgebup. “The mine site will clear habitat and nesting trees, and cut the birds off from their feeding grounds, within a 5km fly-range of their nests. “Everything so far has been about the economic impact and nothing has been said about the environment. “Both the cockatoo and phascogales are on the list of Australia’s most threatened species and yet they are proposing to put a mine site right on top of them.” According to the protest group, there are other worries in the town around the economic impact and the likely wage competition a mine site would bring. “Businesses in the town have enough trouble as it is getting staff,” the spokesperson said. “Mine sites will pay more but the local skill set is not a mining skill set; those who are skilled already have jobs. “However, the economic arguments have been going for a while and it’s the environmental ones which need to be heard now.” The group has a Facebook page and is urging local people to lodge their opinions on the Ausgold proposal when the EPDC comment period opens.