Latest news with #Bendigo
ABC News
21 hours ago
- Business
- ABC News
Greater Bendigo community divided on Fosterville Gold Mine expansion green light
Depending on who you speak to, Victoria's largest gold mine is either a good corporate citizen or a bad neighbour. Fosterville Gold Mine, 20 kilometres east of Bendigo, is one step closer to expanding its operations after the state government gave the green light to a proposed expansion last week. Parent company Agnico Eagle said the expansion would future-proof the mine for the next decade and support 1,000 jobs. The Bendigo region has come to rely on the mine, not just for employment but for the $2 million it has returned to the community through sponsorships, donations and grants. But the expansion has split opinion in the town. Some nearby residents and environmental advocates say they feel shocked and let down, while others are thrilled the mine will remain a fixture in the region. And now all eyes are on the Commonwealth to find out whether it will give the final tick of approval required for the mine's expansion to proceed. Hydrologist Phillip Macumber said he felt hopeful after meeting with Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, but was left shocked when her government approved Fosterville's expansion days later. Dr Macumber reviewed the mine's plans for the Save the Campaspe lobby group and was less than impressed. "It runs counter to everything I've done and known in my hydrogeological experience over the last 50 years," he said. "The present way they're operating [the mine] is contaminating the river, I've got no question in my own mind, with arsenic and antimony. "What makes it so frustrating is it's so blatantly obvious, but where are the people stepping up? Standing up? "Not in government. They don't appear to be." Victoria's Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has raised concerns about the mine's groundwater modelling and monitoring, concerns backed by Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny. The minister ultimately deemed the mine's groundwater impacts acceptable if mitigation measures were properly carried out. A Fosterville Gold Mine spokesperson said the environmental effects statement (EES) was a rigorous, transparent process that gave all stakeholders, including Dr Macumber, a chance to be heard. Community group Save the Campaspe said the Victorian government had dismissed the concerns by approving the expansion. "There's no doubt this mine expansion will negatively impact our families, homes and the Campaspe River," the group said. The mine's EES revealed the expansion would result in habitat loss for several threatened species including the critically endangered swift parrot, and vulnerable ecosystems such as box ironbark forest. The planning minister's assessment found that potential impacts could be acceptably managed, provided that strengthened environmental management practices and amended mitigation measures were adopted. "We're making sure safeguards are in place to protect the environment while also creating more jobs and boosting Bendigo's economy," she said. Victorian National Parks Association conservation campaigner Ben Gill said the approval ignored expert environmental advice. A Victorian government spokesperson said the EES was a "robust and transparent" process. "[It gives the] community confidence that projects balance the needs of communities, environmental protection and economic growth," the spokesperson said. On the other side of the fence are a number of workers, their families, and community groups that support and rely on the mine. Fosterville is one of the highest-grade gold mining operations in the world and the largest gold producer in the state, according to the Victorian government. Bendigo real estate agent Brad Hinton is on the committee for Bendigo's Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch, a prostate cancer fundraising event. He said the committee was "ecstatic" the mine, a major sponsor, was a step closer to another 10 years of operation. Mr Hinton said it was rare for the mine not to be on board supporting events, sporting clubs or charitable efforts in the community. Fosterville Gold Mine said it had invested more than $2 million across sponsorships, donations, scholarships and community grants in Greater Bendigo. Agnico Eagle Australian operations vice-president Ion Hann said the state government's endorsement would allow that support to continue. "We're grateful for the engagement throughout the EES process and remain committed to responsible mining and transparent communication," Mr Hann said. The state government said the expansion would deliver a $1.3 billion boost to the Bendigo region over the next decade. After receiving state government approval the mine's plans will need to receive mining and EPA approvals, as well as approval from the Commonwealth government.
ABC News
4 days ago
- General
- ABC News
WA football greats gather to farewell Eagles premiership player and life member Adam Selwood
Former West Coast Eagles star Adam Selwood has been farewelled at a private memorial service at the club's Lathlain headquarters in Perth. He died suddenly on May 17 at the age of 41. Selwood played 187 games for the Eagles and was part of the 2006 premiership team. He was married with two children. His death came three months after his twin brother Troy died by suicide. A large group of mourners began gathering just after midday for the service, including many of Adam Selwood's former teammates and their partners. Some of his 2006 premiership teammates attended the service, including Chris Judd, Ben Cousins, Daniel Kerr, David Wirrpanda, Chad Fletcher and Sam Butler. Other teammates in attendance included Josh Kennedy, Phil Matera and Nic Naitanui. Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir, who worked with Adam Selwood when he was an assistant coach at West Coast, was also there. Geelong champion Tom Hawkins made the trip west to attend the service. Adam Selwood was born in Bendigo but had lived in Perth since he was 18, when he was taken by the Eagles with pick 53 in the 2002 AFL draft. That same year, his twin Troy was selected by Brisbane with pick 19. Younger brother Joel played 355 games for Geelong, while their youngest brother Scott also played in the AFL, for West Coast and later Geelong. While never generating the same headlines as his high-profile teammates like Judd, Kerr and Cousins, Adam Selwood was a highly valued key component of the club's glory years in the mid-2000s. He was often used as a tagger, before being moved into defence later in his career — usually to curb the influence of the opposition's best small forward. After his playing career he remained in WA and was involved with the club as a development coach, before he was appointed as the Eagles' first head of female football — overseeing the club's entry into the AFLW in 2020. He spent 18 years at West Coast, leaving at the end of 2020 to pursue career opportunities outside football. Some of his colleagues from SEDA College, where he was most recently employed, were at the service. Following his death, his wife Fiona released a statement with the rest of the Selwood family. "We will miss Adam deeply — his spirit, his kindness, and the joy he brought to every room," she said. Adam Selwood is the second member of the Eagles' 2006 premiership team to die, following the sudden passing of Adam Hunter in February at the age of 43.
ABC News
4 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Sidney Myer's grandson urges retail giant to refurbish Bendigo store
As the Myer retail chain faces a major shake-up under businessman Solomon Lew, residents in the regional city where Myer was born have called on the company to give its original store some love. Australia's first Myer department store opened in Bendigo's Pall Mall 125 years ago, in 1900, 11 years before the doors swung open at its flagship Melbourne Bourke Street base. It was the launch pad for what has become one of Australia's most recognised brands, with 56 stores across the country. But step inside the Bendigo Myer store and it is easy to see why rumours about its future are circling around town. Peeling linoleum floors are patched up with duct tape, and plaster crumbles from the walls. Bendigo Historical Society former president Jim Evans said residents had always been proud of Myer's presence in town, but the facade of the historic building was falling apart, and the interior had also seen better days. "Bendigonians are appalled at the state of the building," Mr Evans said. "It's an iconic building and it's certainly something that would attract attention from all over the world." Jane Symonds, 74, has shopped at the Bendigo Myer store since the 1980s and said it used to be a mecca of high-end local retail. "Everything needs to be refreshed … they need to refurbish it, make it brighter, newer," she said. "We need a big, quality department store like that in Bendigo because we've got bugger all." Sidney Myer's grandson Andrew Myer, who is also the chair of the philanthropic Sidney Myer Fund, believes the Bendigo building should be restored to its former glory rather than sit in disrepair. "I think it is a cornerstone building," he told the ABC. "As a passionate family member and knowing that it is the first store, I would love Myer, particularly the CEO [Olivia Wirth], to take some personal interest in the refurbishment of the store." The philanthropist said the state of the Bendigo store was a matter for the board and management, and he believed other family members had raised the issue personally with the Myer Group. The ABC understands the Bendigo store's elevator has recently been upgraded and plans are in place to replace the roof. A Myer spokesperson acknowledged Mr Myer's feedback and said a review of all stores was underway. "We have a constant program of maintenance works across our store network, which includes Myer Bendigo. "Myer owns the Bendigo store and there are no changes to our operations." Bendigo's Chamber of Commerce Be Bendigo chief executive Hayley Tibbett said she had contacted the Myer Bendigo manager, but had not received a response. "We all [the Bendigo community] feel a passion for Myer," she said. Sidney Myer, born Simcha Myer Baevski, was a Russian Jewish immigrant who arrived in Melbourne in 1899. He opened a small drapery shop in Bendigo with his brother Elcon in 1900, which went on to become Myer and now extends to Hargreaves Mall. The brothers prospered in central Victoria and opened another Myer store in Bendigo in 1908. In 1911, Sidney Myer bought a drapery store in Bourke Street, Melbourne, which is where the Myer Emporium flagship store still stands today. The National Library of Australia holds newspaper records showing that in the 1930s at the height of the Great Depression, Mr Myer arranged to provide Christmas dinner for 10,000 people mostly from poorer families in Melbourne. At the time, the Brisbane Courier reported that Mr Myer said he did not want the sense of charity to enter into the project, but rather for the people to feel like his personal guests to whom he wished to give a memorable Christmas. The legacy of his philanthropy continues through the Sidney Myer Fund and The Myer Foundation.
ABC News
4 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Dja Dja Wurrung traditional owners start treaty with state government
In a state first, a central Victorian Aboriginal company has begun its "first step" towards a local treaty. Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation (DJAARA) has notified the Treaty Authority, the independent Victorian body overseeing negotiations, that it will start the process of negotiating its own treaty with the Victorian government. Key focuses for negotiations include having an increased say in legislation, becoming an authority in land management and creating more economic opportunities from existing DJAARA enterprises. Detail of those plans is not yet clear as DJAARA said it would first need to consult its people. DJAARA chief executive Rodney Carter said a local treaty would improve the lives of First Nations' people in the region by shifting the "power and authority" of decision making. "What treaty does is, I think, it becomes that first step in trying to redress this form of exclusion of a people," he said. DJAARA's ancestral land covers Greater Bendigo, Castlemaine and Daylesford. Much of the region forms part of Premier Jacinta Allan's electorate of Bendigo East. Ms Allan has supported the treaty process. Mr Carter said the organisation owned a large commercial yabby farm near Echuca, offered guided cultural and language tours for schools and community groups and managed native and invasive animals through land management. Mr Carter hoped a treaty would put DJAARA in a "more authoritative and influential position" to continue its work. Under state government legislation, Aboriginal Victorians can negotiate statewide or local treaties. A treaty process is underway at a statewide level. Last November, the Victorian government began formal negotiations with the First Peoples' Assembly to better protect Aboriginal culture and language, and give Indigenous communities a bigger say in policies that impacted them. Key demands identified by the First Peoples' Assembly for a statewide treaty were more Aboriginal culture and language in Victorian life and more self-determination around how government funding was spent on First Nations' affairs. They included the idea of a public holiday to celebrate First Nations' heritage. In January 2024, the Victorian Opposition withdrew its support for a state-based treaty, saying traditional owner groups had a monopoly over state government decision-making. Mr Carter said a local treaty would give their organisation an "almost sovereign" right to their local ancestral land. "A group, within its capability, can define what it feels needs to be done in redress." The Victorian Treaty Authority said the Dja Dja Wurrung group was the first to formally progress treaty plans onto a treaty negotiation database. Treaty Authority member and Gunditjmara woman, Thelma Austin, said it was an important step for self-determination in Victoria. "Today we acknowledge the culmination of those efforts for Dja Dja Wurrung," she said. Victorian Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, Natalie Hutchins, welcomed the "historic" decision from the Dja Dja Wurrung people to begin local treaty negotiations. "I welcome the addition of the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation into the Treaty Negotiations database," she said. "Treaty is about making a better and fairer state for every Victorian. "If you listen to the people directly affected by policies, you get better outcomes — that's commonsense — and traditional owner groups are experts in their communities, languages, cultures and caring for country."
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Traditional owner group seeks to negotiate local treaty with Victorian government in state first
The Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation (DJAARA) has become the first traditional owner group to seek to negotiate a local treaty with the Victorian government. The corporation, which represents the Dja Dja Wurrung people, has become the first traditional owner group to be formally entered into a register run by the Treaty Authority – the independent umpire that will oversee negotiations. It is the first step to prepare for a traditional owner treaty negotiation. The authority will work with the traditional owner group before the state is invited to negotiate, and the corporation will form a delegation to represent the group during treaty talks. DJAARA's move comes as Victoria continues to work towards establishing what would be Australia's first statewide treaty with First Nations people. DJAARA chief executive, Rodney Carter, said the group wanted more independence and authority to manage land on its country in central Victoria, which takes in Bendigo. 'It's really exciting,' he said of the group's progress towards a local treaty with the state. Carter, a Dja Dja Wurrung and Yorta Yorta man, said traditional owner groups often faced planning regime barriers regarding land management. 'If we're self-regulated and we've got these exceptional standards and we adhere to those, that would be really empowering and about self-determination that we make decisions for ourselves. 'We can be held to account in what we do.' Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email Carter said the traditional owner group could also bring 'constructive solutions' to other areas. He said other priorities for treaty negotiations included discussing how 'ongoing integration of western science and traditional knowledge' could be used in an education setting. Jidah Clark, a Djab Wurrung man and Treaty Authority chair, said a 'diversity of views, lessons and experiences' from communities across the state had laid strong foundations for treaty-making. 'Treaties will recast the relationship between First Peoples and the state, bringing us closer together. This is an important marker on the path towards unity,' he said. Victoria's minister for treaty and First Peoples, Natalie Hutchins, said traditional owner groups were 'experts in their communities, languages, cultures and caring for Country.' 'Treaty is about making a better and fairer state for every Victorian,' she said. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion The First Peoples' Assembly – Victoria's democratically elected Indigenous body – last November began nation-first treaty talks with the Allan government. A statewide treaty – the first of its kind in Australia – will tackle problems affecting First Nations Victorians. In January the assembly and government announced the assembly's role evolving to become an ongoing First Peoples' representative body, was being considered as part of statewide treaty negotiations. When the statewide treaty negotiations began last year, the Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, said outcomes would need to be passed in the state parliament. Traditional owner treaties allow Indigenous groups to enter into separate agreements about issues and priorities for their communities and region. Rueben Berg, a Gunditjmara man and assembly co-chair, said local treaties would enable traditional owner groups to use their local expertise to deliver solutions for their community. Victoria's opposition withdrew support for the treaty process in January 2024, citing concerns about culture heritage laws, after the defeat of the federal voice to parliament.
