The Western Port Woodlands in Bass Coast are excluded from the new Strategic Extractive Resource Areas. By Catherine Watson
Bass Coast’s woodlands will no longer be considered a priority sand mining area for the state with the announcement of major sand extraction areas at Lang Lang and Trafalgar North.
The Strategic Extractive Resource Areas (SERA) review excludes the entire Bass Coast Shire, with ministerial advisors saying the Extractive Industry Interest Area declaration on woodlands in Bass Coast could be removed once the SERA process is completed.
It’s a breakthrough for the Save Western Port Woodlands (SWPW) community group after five years of campaigning. Bass Coast Shire Council has also advocated to end sand mining in areas of environmental significance.
It doesn’t mean the closure of sand mines already operating in Bass Coast woodlands, but it will make it more difficult for companies to get planning permits for new mines or extensions of existing permits.
Bass Coast’s woodlands will no longer be considered a priority sand mining area for the state with the announcement of major sand extraction areas at Lang Lang and Trafalgar North.
The Strategic Extractive Resource Areas (SERA) review excludes the entire Bass Coast Shire, with ministerial advisors saying the Extractive Industry Interest Area declaration on woodlands in Bass Coast could be removed once the SERA process is completed.
It’s a breakthrough for the Save Western Port Woodlands (SWPW) community group after five years of campaigning. Bass Coast Shire Council has also advocated to end sand mining in areas of environmental significance.
It doesn’t mean the closure of sand mines already operating in Bass Coast woodlands, but it will make it more difficult for companies to get planning permits for new mines or extensions of existing permits.
Instead sand companies will be encouraged by fast-tracked planning approvals to look towards major sand resources on cleared farmland in Cardinia (around Lang Lang) and Baw Baw (Trafalgar North).
Resources Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the draft designated SERA areas considered local environmental and cultural heritage values, existing land uses and access to transport networks, to ensure any potential land use conflicts can be avoided. "This gives both communities and industry important clarity about where resources may be developed in the future."
This gives both communities and industry important clarity about where resources may be developed in the future."
Resources Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the draft designated SERA areas considered local environmental and cultural heritage values, existing land uses and access to transport networks, to ensure any potential land use conflicts can be avoided. "This gives both communities and industry important clarity about where resources may be developed in the future."
This gives both communities and industry important clarity about where resources may be developed in the future."
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The Lang Lang SERA review is now open for consultation at Engage Victoria. A consultation session for the Lang Lang community will be held on October 22. |
Bass MP Jordan Crugnale said the result reflected strong community advocacy. “I thank the SWPW committee and members for their grit and determination and for working productively alongside and with me over these last few years.”
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SWPW spokesman Neil Rankine said the turning point was last year’s Bass Coast Distinctive Areas and Landscapes panel hearing where the Western Port Woodlands were recognised as being of national ecological significance, critical habitat for a range of rare and threatened plants, animals and fungi.
“Thanks to our 500-plus supporters, to the Victorian National Parks Association, South Gippsland Conservation Society and other conservation and community groups that rallied behind us, and to Bass Coast councillors who have unanimously supported us.”
Mr Rankine said the SERA announcement was a significant first step in preserving the woodlands but there was still work to be done to restore it to a fully functioning wildlife corridor.
“The Adams Creek Nature Conservation Reserve remains vulnerable. The future of the old Holden Proving Ground is still uncertain. And we’re still seeking an Environmental Significance Overlay over the entire Western Port Woodlands between Lang Lang and Grantville.”
“Thanks to our 500-plus supporters, to the Victorian National Parks Association, South Gippsland Conservation Society and other conservation and community groups that rallied behind us, and to Bass Coast councillors who have unanimously supported us.”
Mr Rankine said the SERA announcement was a significant first step in preserving the woodlands but there was still work to be done to restore it to a fully functioning wildlife corridor.
“The Adams Creek Nature Conservation Reserve remains vulnerable. The future of the old Holden Proving Ground is still uncertain. And we’re still seeking an Environmental Significance Overlay over the entire Western Port Woodlands between Lang Lang and Grantville.”
Adams Creek Nature Conservation Reserve, at the northern end of the Western Port Woodlands, remains vulnerable. The pink indicates the proposed Cardinia SERA area. The blue indicates the South Gippsland SERA area imposed in 2021. The community also needed surety on groundwater supplies, he said, and that sand extraction operations would not affect Western Port or the Adams Creek Nature Conservation Reserve.
“And while the pressure on the woodlands in Bass Coast has been eased, we know the Lang Lang community is affected by this SERA announcement.
“Residents are already suffering from hundreds of sand truck movements through their township every day from the early hours until late at night. It’s vital that the community use the formal official consultation process to demand a Lang Lang bypass to get the sand trucks out of their township.”
Catherine Watson is a member of the Save Western Port Woodlands group.
“And while the pressure on the woodlands in Bass Coast has been eased, we know the Lang Lang community is affected by this SERA announcement.
“Residents are already suffering from hundreds of sand truck movements through their township every day from the early hours until late at night. It’s vital that the community use the formal official consultation process to demand a Lang Lang bypass to get the sand trucks out of their township.”
Catherine Watson is a member of the Save Western Port Woodlands group.