A Call To Ban Mining In The Wombat State Forest

A Call To Ban Mining In The Wombat State Forest

Started
19 June 2020
Petition to
The Hon. Jaala Pulford MP (Minister for Resources)
Signatures: 5,893Next goal: 7,500
Support now

Why this petition matters

Started by No Wombat Gold

We call on the State Government to ban all mineral exploration and mining in the Wombat State Forest and to cease all current exploration/mining activities.

We currently have three mining companies within cooee of each other in Barrys Reef, near Blackwood. They are located in the Regional Park that is proposed when the Wombat Forest becomes a National Park.

Cauldron Energy have started exploratory drilling underground, hoping to small scale mine an existing mine that goes under the houses in Barrys Reef. They plan to go under the water table if they are granted a mining licence. They have also applied for a Prospectors Licence, an area of roughly 5 hectares about 115m from the township.

Currawong Resources, after two rounds of exploratory drilling near Blackwood in June 2020 and March 2022. They have now applied for an exploratory licence that runs from Barrys Reef to the Lerderderg River near the Garden of St Erth. They also would be keen to go under the water table, where historical mining could not.

Nuggety Gold Mining, tried to renew a lapsed mining licence. It was knocked back but they can try again with a workplan.

The Wombat State Forest has high conservation significance and is home to to over 370 rare and threatened species, including Greater Gliders and Powerful Owls. It is renowned for its range of recreational activities. Many visitors come to enjoy the natural environment of this beautiful area.

Blackwood/Barrys Reef is a small community with a great love for the forest that surrounds them and has local businesses that rely on the tourism that flows through the region. People choose to live here for the closeness to nature and the peace and quiet. The potential for a gold mine on their doorstep is alarming.

The Wombat State Forest contains the headwaters of six important river systems and the small area where these miners are operating are within the headwaters of the Heritage-listed Lerderderg River which provides water to the Werribee Water Catchment System. Impacting this river will lead to a significant decline in water quality.

The Wombat State Forest should be protected from mineral exploration and mining and we call for action now.

Support now
Signatures: 5,893Next goal: 7,500
Support now
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Decision makers

  • The Hon. Jaala Pulford MPMinister for Resources