East Gippsland Shire Council will present the wishes of members of the community opposing the Fingerboards Mineral Sands project at Glenaladale and writing to the Premier, state, federal and shadow ministers, prior to the completion of an Environmental Effects Statement (EES) and the decision by the Minister for Planning to approve, or not, the mine’s go-ahead.

Tuesday night’s council meeting saw an overflowing public gallery supporting Cr Jackson Roberts’ motion for council to throw its weight behind the opposition of the Fingerboards Project, a motion that was amended and carried with a vote of four to three.

The motion was brought forward to accommodate the crowded gallery’s quicker departure and with the meeting starting at 6pm it was not until 8.30pm that the cheer erupted from the gallery as the vote was declared in their favour.

It was a small win for Mine Free Glenaladale members and anti-mine people who will now await the decision from the Minister for Planning.

Thirteen concerned citizens representing environmental groups, farmers, residents, tourism, indigenous culture and history, and youth, spoke for the motion. Dr Victor Hugo, chief operating officer of proponent, Kalbar Resources, was the only speaker against the motion.

Cr Roberts’ motion was presented as follows, with amendments prior to going to a vote proposed by Cr Ellis in italic:

“That Council, in representing the wishes of its community and in the interests of a sustainable East Gippsland LIC NO. AUO8032 economy, society and environment, will work to protect the long-term viability of East Gippsland’s agriculture and tourism industries whilst ensuring the voice of the East Gippsland community is heard by:

1. Stating the community’s opposition to proposed mineral sands mining proceeding in the East Gippsland region.

2. Writing to the Premier, appropriate Federal, State and Shadow Ministers advising them of Council’s and the community’s position on this matter and asking for their support in actively prosecuting this position both in Parliament and in public to protect East Gippsland.”

3. Writing to our local Federal member Mr Darren Chester and our local State representative Mr Tim Bull advising them of Council’s and the community’s position requesting that they publicly support their community by undertaking the actions requested in dot point 2 of this motion.

4. That such actions be undertaken in an efficient and timely manner.”

Councillors Jackson Roberts, Dick Ellis, John White and Ben Buckley voted for the motion, Crs Marianne Pelz, Joe Rettino and Natalie O’Connell against. Crs Mark Reeves and Colin Toohey were absent.

A second notice of motion from Cr Mark Reeves, which requested Cr Roberts’ notice of motion be held in abeyance until legal advice is sought, lapsed as there was no mover.

The statement of opposition to such mines across the region will now be presented by council to the Premier and state, federal and shadow ministers.

PICTURED: A packed East Gippsland Shire chamber gallery.