Groups alarmed at mining exploration in Wombat State Forest

LOCAL conservation groups are urging the State Government to act fast to create a promised regional park in a section of the Wombat State Forest south east of Trentham amid growing concerns over exploration drilling for gold in the forest.

Wombat Forestcare members said they’re alarmed that exploration drilling for gold is being carried out along Yankee Road in the Wombat State Forest.

Fearing that the loss of threatened iconic fauna species and the health of the heritage-listed Lerderderg River are at stake, they’re also urging residents to write to Premier Jacinta Allen, environment minister Steve Dimopoulos and local MPs calling for the prompt creation of slated regional parks and reserves.

“This area of concern near Trentham is not part of the newly legislated Wombat-Lerderderg National Park and remains a section of the Wombat State Forest where mining is a permitted activity,” Wombat Forestcare convenor Gayle Osborne said.

“The State Government has promised to change the tenure of this section of forest to a regional park along with approximately 20,000 hectares that remain categorised as state forest.

“As a regional park this area would not be exempt from a gold mine, but it would not be an automatic right.

“We do not want to see an industrial gold mine, with associated road transport and pollution issues, in the Wombat Forest. Residents should be aware that mineral exploration and mining are generally permitted uses in a state forest,” Ms Osborne said.

“The exploration works are being carried out in the headwaters of creeks that drain into the Heritage-listed Lerderderg River and it would be immoral for the government to permit a mining licence in this catchment.”

The proposed Blackwood Regional Park is home to the iconic and endangered Greater Gliders and Gang-Gang Cockatoos as well as many other native fauna species.

Another local group opposed to mining in the Wombat Forest is the Blackwood-based ‘No Wombat Gold’ group which is also deeply concerned about the exploration.

“According to Parks Victoria, visitor recreation is the primary purpose of regional parks. A working gold mine and enjoyment of the natural environment cannot co-exist,” a spokesperson for the group said.