Shire defers talks about re-opening Coalmine Road

THE Surf Coast Shire believes Coalmine Road in Anglesea should stay closed to general traffic but will not seek the community’s views until the mine’s long-term future is known.

Councillors considered a report on a draft consultation plan about the road’s re-opening at their meeting on Tuesday.

Coalmine Road has been limited to emergency vehicles only for the past decade, but Alcoa will re-align the road as part of its rehabilitation of the south wall of the neighbouring mine, which will remove the barricade.

A report to councillors notes that the shire has not started public consultation about whether the barrier at Coalmine Road should be put back, “but what has become apparent is that an important issue is not able to be understood at this time – what role the road may have in the future use of the mine site”.

“For the council to consider the matter in advance of knowing this important direction may be premature. Given that the road has been closed for a number of years and there are no other changes in the network at this time, there is no urgency to change the status quo, other than Alcoa needing a direction at the completion of their works.”

At the meeting, councillors resolved to give in-principle support to the draft consultation plan (which suggests a letterbox drop, a web page and a three-week online survey) but that the most appropriate time to consult with the community “is when a future use for the Alcoa mine and surrounds is identified”.

“(The council) advises Alcoa and other road authorities that Coalmine Road should remain closed to the public after reconstruction.”

Cr Margot Smith agreed with the decision to hold off on consultation.

“It’s really quite evident we’re not ready to do that because of the range of views in the community.”

Tuesday’s resolution follows a public meeting earlier this month convened by the Aireys Inlet and District Association, at which discussion about the barricade quickly widened to the entire road network of Anglesea and surrounds, including the contentious possibility of an Anglesea bypass.