Eden responds to Anglesea river concerns

THE Eden Project is standing by claims that Alcoa’s pumping test in Anglesea is not contributing to the highly acidic state of the nearby river, but says it welcomes differing views.

Alcoa is halfway through a 12-month trial pumping water from an aquifer in order to fill its vast former coal mine and is aiming to have it half full by 2024, a prerequisite for handover of the site set by the Eden Project.

The newly formed Friends of Anglesea River contends that over four decades of pumping from the Upper Eastern View Formation (UEVF) aquifer by Alcoa is drying out the natural systems that support the river, a hypothesis supported by Professor Ralf Haese from The University of Melbourne’s School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences.

“If we are correct, then there needs to be either a cessation or greatly reduced pumping quota or rate from the UEVF in order to restore natural conditions of the system,” he said.

Alcoa says the first six-month period of the test has been “successfully completed” and “progressed well, in accordance with licence conditions, and importantly, with no adverse impacts on groundwater dependent ecosystems including the Anglesea River”.

Asked if he was aware the Anglesea River was presently experiencing the longest recorded period of being uninhabitable for fish due to high acidity, Eden Project International chief executive officer David Harland said: “Eden’s clear and unwavering intention is to enhance the local environment through our work and the pump test supports this principle.

“We have confidence in the test results that indicate it has not adversely impacted the local environment and look forward to reviewing the detailed analysis by specialist environmental consultants before pumping recommences.

“We welcome a variety of opinions from experts and respect the fact that differing views are a vital part of a rigorous scientific process.”

Along with a team of researchers, Professor Haese is preparing a discussion paper on the issues he and the Friends of Anglesea River believe regulatory authorities are failing to assess during the pumping process.

The paper is scheduled to coincide with Alcoa’s pending deadline of needing a new water licence after its 12-month trial ends.

“This is not an anti-Alcoa campaign, designed to reopen old wounds in the community,” Professor Haese said.

“We’re just concerned about the health of the river and wanting to make sure that we are operating on best science during the rehabilitation phase.”