The Environment Protection Authority Victoria’s (EPA) decision on Iluka’s Works Approval Application to continue the disposal of waste by-products in Pit 23 at its former Douglas mine site may not be known for several months.
Statutory timelines allow EPA up to four months to make a determination on the works approval application from the date when it was first accepted, which was June 23, 2015.
EPA Manager, Development Assessments, Tim Faragher, said EPA would take the time it needed to make a transparent and robust determination of the application.
“EPA appreciates the level of community interest in this application and we will take the time we need to make the right decision,” Mr Faragher said.
“However, this statutory timeline assumes that all the information required to make a determination has been presented. EPA is in the process of assessing the application to see if its needs anything further to make its determination.
“Should we identify the need for further information to undertake our assessment, EPA will ask Iluka Resources to provide it by a certain date. Depending on whether the required information is provided by that date, the determination period may be extended to complete the assessment.
“In making its determination, EPA will consider the expert views of specialist staff, the expert views of staff at referral agencies such as Department of Health & Human Services, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, as well as submissions from the community.
“EPA’s works approval process is designed to ensure the best and most cost-effective environmental outcomes on projects are achieved and it will be the case here,” he said.
Iluka Resources has also lodged a planning permit application with the Horsham Rural City Council. EPA and Horsham Council are working closely with other Victorian Government Departments on the applications.
Members of the community who may be affected by the granting of the works approval may make submissions to EPA no later than 5pm Wednesday, 5 August. Submissions can be emailed to: works.approvals@epa.vic.gov.au
To view Iluka’s works approval application, visit: http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/our-work/licences-and-approvals/public-participation/featured-applications/iluka-douglas-mine-site