Southern Rural Water has refused an application from Alcoa for a groundwater licence to fill its former coal mine at Anglesea.
Alcoa applied to extract 1,500 megalitres of groundwater a year for 10 years as part of its Mine Closure and Rehabilitation Plan for the site.
Southern Rural Water undertook a rigorous licensing application process to consider the proposal, including extensive public consultation and the appointment of Independent Submissions and Technical Review panels.
In its decision, Southern Rural Water determined that the proposed licence would be likely to result in small but potentially significant reductions in shallow groundwater levels and river flows.
It also found that granting the licence may pose an increased risk of acid generation and no-flow days in the Anglesea River and estuary. The catchment is naturally acidic and has a history of low river flows and acid flush events.
Managing Director Scott Cornish said the Anglesea River catchment provides considerable cultural, environmental, social and economic values and a precautionary approach to licence applications is warranted.
“The mine pit is projected to fill itself naturally in as early as 26 years and the benefits of a rapid fill are limited when compared to the potential risks of the extraction of groundwater,” Mr Cornish said.
Alcoa’s application attracted 167 public submissions, with many raising concerns about reduced shallow groundwater levels and surface water flows and subsequent impacts on ecology and the wider environment.
Mr Cornish said Southern Rural Water’s licence assessment process was comprehensive and rigorous and included extensive public consultation. This included a public hearing overseen by an independent submissions panel as well as a detailed technical review by an independent technical panel of experts.
The Final Notice of Decision and Statement of Reasons will be sent to all those who made submissions during the public consultation process.
For more information go to Southern Rural Water’s website.
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