Shire of Katanning president Kristy D'Aprile says proposed Ausgold mine at Badgebup will be 'a real positive'
Ausgold, the developers of the mine, are yet to reach agreement with freehold landowners and they are in the middle of a 10-day trial at the Wardens Court of WA. The project will also have to be assessed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
However, Cr D'Aprile said she was operating on the basis they would win those battles.
'The shire does not officially take a position on this but in a practical sense we believe the mine will have a significant impact and we want to be on the front foot,' she said.
'It's absolutely going to be a real positive in terms of employment, the economic situation and the diversity of our workforce.'
Cr D'Aprile said the shire was working with neighbouring councils likely to be affected and was also aiming to help small businesses prepare for the possibility that workers would be accommodated close to town.
She said she was also trying to be sensitive to the feelings of landowners in the Wardens Court who were opposing the project.
Her views will not be popular with Katanning's environmental activists who fear the proposed mine will decimate wildlife, particularly affecting the nesting hollows used by endangered Carnaby's black cockatoos.
However, Cr D'Aprile rubbished claims that the town was split on the issue and said there had been misinformation spread around the likely environmental impact.
'We are aware of the environmental issues, but it is also a great opportunity for Katanning to pilot a site to deal with them in innovative ways,' she said.
'There has been a lot of propaganda around the environment and I'm trying to keep a level head to deal with it.
'I'm quite satisfied that we have some great strategies and can work with Ausgold to navigate the environmental issues.'
Dean Arthurwell, who runs not-for-profit charity Carnaby's Crusaders, said the Wurgabup reserve would be surrounded on three sides by the mine.
'They are talking about mitigating the impact, but the mine will make the reserve useless for the birds because of the noise, the dust and the light pollution,' he said.
'It will also cut off connecting corridors, and impact creek-line flow paths into and out of the bushland.
'There will be people in the town rubbing their hands with glee at the thought there will be lots of jobs; real estate people will be delighted that there will be property development and the chance to drive up rents, but these jobs don't exist yet.
'It's all political stuff; we have turned into a short-sighted, greedy generation who are squandering everything.
'Every time there is a development it impacts our wildlife because there is so little of their habitat left.'
Cr D'Aprile said the mine, with its workers housed near the town, would be a major boost to the economy.
'Ausgold have been very public about wanting a residential workforce,' she said.
'That would be better for our schools, sporting clubs and small businesses.
'It's a phenomenal opportunity for the Great Southern.'
The mine site is about 35km outside Katanning and a feasibility study released by Ausgold said it could produce 1.14 million ounces of gold over its estimated 10-year life.
They also estimated employing 350 people with 250 needed for its construction.
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