Australia’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has refused permission for a coal mine in the Margaret River region of Western Australia on grounds that it would be environmentally unacceptable. EPA Chairman Paul Vogel said that the no was based on the proponent’s referral information and environmental advice presented to the EPA.
A mining company wished to mine coal about 15 km away from the centre of Margaret River, but the proposal has met widespread opposition from environmentalists and locals.
Premier Colin Barnett said he believed the EPA made the right decision. He said that he had already expressed the thought that it was a very doubtful prospect to have an underground coal mine in a prime wine growing area of Western Australia and clearly there were large environmental risks to the water supply and water quality in the aquifers.
LD Operations said the company was disappointed that the Vasse Coal Project would not proceed to a full public environmental review and public engagement period. Peter Ross the Managing Director of the company said that the company had not been provided with any information, evidence or reasons for the decision declare the project environmentally unacceptable.
He added that they were seeking clarification of the basis for the decision and considering its rights in terms of appeal. He said that they were keenly awaiting the reasons for the determination, as well as access to additional information sought by the EPA from other government agencies ahead of making its decision.