MINE MATTERS

Anglesea business group weighs in on Alcoa mine plan

A LEADING Anglesea business association has given qualified support to Alcoa’s proposed vision for the future of the town’s mine.

In a statement last week, Business and Tourism Anglesea (BATA) president Adrian Booth said the plans were “reasonably aligned” with the feedback received through the long-running community consultation.

The documents released for comment – the draft Anglesea Futures Land Use plan and the draft Alcoa Freehold Concept Master Plan – suggest how the land occupied by the now-closed mine will be used for at least the next 20 years.

The deletion of the Anglesea Bike Park in freehold land near Bentleigh and Wilkins streets and its replacement with residential housing and accommodation has been particularly opposed by some locals, who also say those two uses are the opposite of what the Anglesea community wants for the mine.

According to the Anglesea Futures summary of feedback in August, industrial, residential, commercial activities and tourist accommodation are the top four least preferred land uses.

Mr Booth said BATA “appreciated there are a range of views in the Anglesea community” about how the land would be used, but believed the consultation was “a sound process”.

“The key stakeholders and community were involved in the creation and eventual acceptance of the guiding principles, and we are committed to following the defined process for feedback.

“We believe that both plans are reasonably aligned with the feedback that has been gathered along the journey, and recognise that there are still many stages in the conversation to an eventual outcome.

“We will continue to participate and advocate for an outcome that aligns with the essence of Anglesea, while also delivering sustainable economic benefits to the Anglesea community well into the future.”

He said it was “of vital importance” that Anglesea’s economy was considered to ensure that the town “continued to thrive as a viable community – ie. a community with both employment and services for locals, which could be enhanced through the offering of a world class tourism experience”.

Submissions to Alcoa’s Freehold Concept Master Plan close on March 6. Head to engage-anglesea.alcoa.com.au/Anglesea.

Submissions to the Anglesea Futures Land Use Plan close on March 16. Head to engage.vic.gov.au/angleseafutures.