
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.