Gingin rate payers collective, Open discussion page

21/03/2025

Here is a interesting article that one of our members sent in.

Changes to planning laws that have left some vacant blocks of land in Victoria virtually “worthless” are affecting properties stretching 100km along the state’s east coast.

18/02/2025

Lots of people are asking why we have only only given you a few days to put in the submission.

The EPA does not advertise when you can do submissions.

You have to get onto the EPA website at least twice a week or even more frequently then you can miss when they put projects up for submission

We were just very lucky that one person did look at the EPA website 4 days before the submissions were to close and told us.

17/02/2025

Urgent. 2 days left to put your submissions in.

Hi Everyone

Here is how to put in a submission in to oppose this mine that will have a massive impact on the groundwater and environment of the Moore River and Guilderton.

Today we have been alerted to the fact that Image Resources have taken the Bidaminna Project to the EPBC.

Public Comment is open until next Thursday 20 Feb only 2 days away.

How to do a submission
The EPBC Public Portal
Here is a link
https://epbcpublicportal.environment.gov.au/all-referrals/project-referral-summary/?id=486d31c2-6fb7-ef11-b8e8-0022481295e6
Create an account
Search Bidaminna or use the code code 2024/10076 open the page
Scroll down to the MAKE COMMENT button and put in a submission
Please put in a submission quickly as this is urgent.

Thanks GGRC

Below are some reasons that you can put in your submission however don't be limited to what we say. These points are all raised in the Image Resources document attached.
Groundwater lowering and pollution with the mine dewatering potentially affecting the level of the Moore River
Potential for Acid Sulphate Soils
Endangered species habitat and wildlife loss
24 hour Pollution - Noise, toxic, Dust, Water, Chemicals, light pollution
No seasonal hydrology report thus we will not know the impact on the river system and farming property groundwater
The project has already been assessed to hold only negatives for the Shire and the Shire of Gingin sent a letter explaining this to the minister but did not follow it up with a submission
Decimation of the Carnaby Cockatoo habitat and Long Necked Swamp tortoise
The removal of a very large area of pristine Endangered Banksia woodlands
Other points not considered are; Potential Stagnant water in Guilderton in summer due to the lowering of the groundwater

If the groundwater table is lowered more than 50cm then the Moore River may run dry in places in summer.

The EPBC Public Portal is best viewed through a desktop, laptop or tablet.  If you wish to make a comment using a mobile device go to Open for Comments.

17/02/2025

Urgent! Here are some ideas that you can use for your submission to the Bidaminna Mine

Bidaminna Project Objections

Groundwater abstraction
• Abstraction of approximately 6 GL / year of ground water from one or more borefields will come from within the project area. However, it appears that as of February 2024, no groundwater impact study has been undertaken.

“Water supply is targeted to be sourced from within the MDE (Mine Development Area) however external supply may be required.. (to be determined once groundwater investigations are complete).”

Source: ENVIRONMENTAL SCOPING DOCUMENT, BIDAMINNA PROJECT,
22 FEBRUARY 2024 Page 1.

Moore River
• The Moore River is located 800m north of the project area and is the basis of the Moore River Catchment. It is the key component of the regional and local hydrology.

The majority of streamflow past Bidaminna originates from the middle of the Moore River Catchment. The change in ground and surface water will destroy the Moore River and the livelihood of everyone dependent on it.

Wetlands
• Wetlands, including two ‘Damplands’ intersect the northern and southern sections of the Project Area and have been allocated to the ‘Conservation Management’Category which is described as “Wetlands which support a high level of attributes and functions”.
These areas will be destroyed by the project.
Aboriginal Heritage
• Moore River is also culturally significant to Aboriginal People as a Waugal Site (Place ID: 20749).

Proximity to Moore River National Park
• Moore River National Park is located immediately east of the project area. The park has been set aside for preservation of biodiversity and natural and/or cultural heritage values. The proposed mine will have a detrimental impact on the National Park

Endangered and Threatened Species
• There are at least 311 native and seven vertebrate species within the project area and 51 significant vertebrate fauna species with the potential of occurring in the project area including 43 species listed as Threatenedunder the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

• There are, in the project area, 94 vertebrate fauna species including one Threatened species, the Carnaby’s Cockatoo (Endangered) and three Threatened species identified as having a Medium-likelihood of occurrence namely the:
Western Swamp Tortoise (Critically Endangered);
Western Quoll (Vulnerable); and
Fork-tailed Swift (Migratory).

• Within the project area, ‘Banksia attenuata’ are prolific (Threatened Ecological Category (Endangered) and ‘Banksia Dominated Woodlands of the Swan Coastal Plain ecological community’ (Threatened Ecological Category Endangered)) occurred in the survey area

• There are records of 51 significant vertebrate fauna species occurring in the Study Area including 43 species listed as Threatened under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

• Vegetation within the project area is rated ‘Pristine’ for most of the Banksia woodland areas and most of thedampland shrublands/heaths.

Image Resources acknowledge the project is problematic
• Image Resources CEO (at the time), Patrick Muntz, who is on record stating:
“…it was likely to take several decades before the woodland values were close to pre-mining levels and that "success cannot be guaranteed".
Mr. Muntz said “…the company was well aware of how difficult banksia woodland was to restore
Bidaminna Project Objections

Groundwater abstraction
• Abstraction of approximately 6 GL / year of ground water from one or more borefields will come from within the project area. However, it appears that as of February 2024, no groundwater impact study has been undertaken.

“Water supply is targeted to be sourced from within the MDE (Mine Development Area) however external supply may be required.. (to be determined once groundwater investigations are complete).”

Source: ENVIRONMENTAL SCOPING DOCUMENT, BIDAMINNA PROJECT,
22 FEBRUARY 2024 Page 1.

Moore River
• The Moore River is located 800m north of the project area and is the basis of the Moore River Catchment. It is the key component of the regional and local hydrology.

The majority of streamflow past Bidaminna originates from the middle of the Moore River Catchment. The change in ground and surface water will destroy the Moore River and the livelihood of everyone dependent on it.

Wetlands
• Wetlands, including two ‘Damplands’ intersect the northern and southern sections of the Project Area and have been allocated to the ‘Conservation Management’Category which is described as “Wetlands which support a high level of attributes and functions”.
These areas will be destroyed by the project.
Aboriginal Heritage
• Moore River is also culturally significant to Aboriginal People as a Waugal Site (Place ID: 20749).

Proximity to Moore River National Park
• Moore River National Park is located immediately east of the project area. The park has been set aside for preservation of biodiversity and natural and/or cultural heritage values. The proposed mine will have a detrimental impact on the National Park

Endangered and Threatened Species
• There are at least 311 native and seven vertebrate species within the project area and 51 significant vertebrate fauna species with the potential of occurring in the project area including 43 species listed as Threatenedunder the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

• There are, in the project area, 94 vertebrate fauna species including one Threatened species, the Carnaby’s Cockatoo (Endangered) and three Threatened species identified as having a Medium-likelihood of occurrence namely the:
Western Swamp Tortoise (Critically Endangered);
Western Quoll (Vulnerable); and
Fork-tailed Swift (Migratory).

• Within the project area, ‘Banksia attenuata’ are prolific (Threatened Ecological Category (Endangered) and ‘Banksia Dominated Woodlands of the Swan Coastal Plain ecological community’ (Threatened Ecological Category Endangered)) occurred in the survey area

• There are records of 51 significant vertebrate fauna species occurring in the Study Area including 43 species listed as Threatened under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

• Vegetation within the project area is rated ‘Pristine’ for most of the Banksia woodland areas and most of thedampland shrublands/heaths.

Image Resources acknowledge the project is problematic
• Image Resources CEO (at the time), Patrick Muntz, who is on record stating:
“…it was likely to take several decades before the woodland values were close to pre-mining levels and that "success cannot be guaranteed".
Mr. Muntz said “…the company was well aware of how difficult banksia woodland was to restore and would support research into ways to overcome problems before and during the restoration process "
Source ABC

17/02/2025

Bidaminna Mine Submissions Urgent

This is probably the most destructive proposalto the Moore River catchment, the Moore River itself and Guilderton. Everone on the Coast need to make a submission, please.

Here is how to put in a submission. Public Comment is open until next Thursday 20 Feb only 4 days away.

The EPBC Public Portal Here is a link
https://epbcpublicportal.environment.gov.au/.../proje.../...
Create an account
Search Bidaminna or use the code code 2024/10076 open the page
Scroll down to the MAKE COMMENT button and put in a submission
Please put in a submission quickly as this is urgent.

Here are some facts you can use:

Bidaminna Project Objections

Groundwater abstraction - Abstraction of approximately 6 GL / year of ground water from one or more borefields will come from within the project area. However, there have been no technical studies. It is like to be greater.

The Moore River is located 800m north of the project area and is the basis of the Moore River Catchment. It is the key component of the regional and local hydrology. The majority of streamflow past Bidaminna originates from the middle of the Moore River Catchment. The change in ground and surface water will destroy the Moore River and the livelihood of everyone dependent on it, inclding leisure and Guilderton.

Wetlands, including two ‘Damplands’ intersect the northern and southern sections of the Project Area and have been allocated to the ‘Conservation Management’ Category which is described as “Wetlands which support a high level of attributes and functions”.
These areas will be destroyed by the project.

Aboriginal Heritage
• Moore River is also culturally significant to Aboriginal People as a Waugal Site (Place ID: 20749).

Proximity to Moore River National Park
• Moore River National Park is located immediately east of the project area. The park has been set aside for preservation of biodiversity and natural and/or cultural heritage values. The proposed mine will have a detrimental impact on the National Park

Endangered and Threatened Species
• There are at least 311 native and seven vertebrate species within the project area and 51 significant vertebrate fauna species with the potential of occurring in the project area including 43 species listed as Threatened under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

• There are, in the project area, 94 vertebrate fauna species including one Threatened species, the Carnaby’s Cockatoo (Endangered) and three Threatened species identified as having a Medium-likelihood of occurrence namely the:
Western Swamp Tortoise (Critically Endangered);
Western Quoll (Vulnerable); and
Fork-tailed Swift (Migratory).

• Within the project area, ‘Banksia attenuata’ are prolific (Threatened Ecological Category (Endangered) and ‘Banksia Dominated Woodlands of the Swan Coastal Plain ecological community’ (Threatened Ecological Category Endangered)) occurred in the survey area

• There are records of 51 significant vertebrate fauna species occurring in the Study Area including 43 species listed as Threatened under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

• Vegetation within the project area is rated ‘Pristine’ for most of the Banksia woodland areas and most of the dampland shrublands/heaths.

Image Resources acknowledge the project is problematic
• Image Resources CEO (at the time), Patrick Muntz, who is on record stating:
“…it was likely to take several decades before the woodland values were close to pre-mining levels and that "success cannot be guaranteed".
Mr. Muntz said “…the company was well aware of how difficult banksia woodland was to restore and would support research into ways to overcome problems before and during the restoration process.”
Source ABC: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-23/image-resources-gains-environmental-approval-banksia-forest/103765190

An Australian minerals company wants to clear about 1,000 hectares of threatened native banksia woodlands for two WA mining projects.

16/02/2025

Bidaminna Mine Submissions Urgent

Here is how to put in a submission in to oppose this mine that will have a massive impact on the groundwater and environment of the Moore River and Guilderton.

Today we have been alerted to the fact that Image Resources have taken the Bidaminna Project to the EPBC.

Public Comment is open until next Thursday 20 Feb only 4 days away.

How to do a submission
The EPBC Public Portal
Here is a link
https://epbcpublicportal.environment.gov.au/all-referrals/project-referral-summary/?id=486d31c2-6fb7-ef11-b8e8-0022481295e6
Create an account
Search Bidaminna or use the code code 2024/10076 open the page
Scroll down to the MAKE COMMENT button and put in a submission
Please put in a submission quickly as this is urgent.

Thanks GGRC

Below are some reasons that you can put in your submission however don't be limited to what we say. These points are all raised in the Image Resources document attached.
Groundwater lowering and pollution with the mine dewatering potentially affecting the level of the Moore River
Potential for Acid Sulphate Soils
Endangered species habitat and wildlife loss
24 hour Pollution - Noise, toxic, Dust, Water, Chemicals, light pollution
No seasonal hydrology report thus we will not know the impact on the river system and farming property groundwater
The project has already been assessed to hold only negatives for the Shire and the Shire of Gingin sent a letter explaining this to the minister but did not follow it up with a submission
Decimation of the Carnaby Cockatoo habitat and Long Necked Swamp tortoise
The removal of a very large area of pristine Endangered Banksia woodlands
Other points not considered are; Potential Stagnant water in Guilderton in summer due to the lowering of the groundwater

If the groundwater table is lowered more than 50cm then the Moore River may run dry in places in summer.

The EPBC Public Portal is best viewed through a desktop, laptop or tablet.  If you wish to make a comment using a mobile device go to Open for Comments.

10/01/2025

REMINDER
Annual Electors Meeting 21st January.
The Annual Electors meeting is fast approaching with just 11 days to go.
If you have any concerns or issues with things that are happening within our Shire, or a personal concern that you'd like other rate payers to back you up with, this is the meeting to attend.
At the meeting, once you've signed in and crossed your name of the electoral list, you can stand up, and put forward (propose) a motion. The other rate payers in attendance will then vote on your motion (for or against) to support it becoming a council agenda item. If the majority of electors at the meeting support your motion, the CEO and administration will include your motion as an agenda item for the next council meeting.
You will have the opportunity to provide any documents to the CEO that councilors will have to read, and consider as part of the item being debated on as part of the agenda, before they vote.
If you want to explain more information to council before the item is considered by them at the meeting, you can email the CEO and president Balcombe to request a deputation. During a deputation, you can speak for up to ten minutes to provide a presentation on evidence or facts to support your motion.

This is a great way to have any of your concerns addressed directly by council as quickly as possible.
You must get the majority of electors in the room to support your motion, so don't forget to bring your friends and other rate payers to vote for you, and vote for other electors to have their motions approved, and debated/voted on by council.
Rate payers can all support each other here, and get everything addressed that they feel council has been dropping the ball on, or they may have simply not addressed at all yet, or to your standards.
The more information you provide with your motion, the more they will have to consider before voting on it.
This is our chance to have our say. This is the one meeting a year where the community gets to have a voice.
Come along on Tuesday 21st January at 6pm Granville Civic Centre, Weld St Gingin

28/10/2024

Hello Folks - I'm sure we'd all like to welcome our new CEO and wish him and his family all the best for the future and every success in managing the Shire.

Just to follow up the CHRMAP, last time this was on the Agenda, the way fowrward was resolved by Council that:

• Lancelin District Community Association
• Lancelin Chamber of Commerce
• Friends of Lancelin Coast
• Ledge Point Community Association
• Seabird Progress Association
• Guilderton Community Association

would each appoint one member as a delegate to attend Steering Group meetings to consider amendments the CHRMAP following the public submissions.

We will be in touch with your groups in the next few weeks. In the meantime I'm sure Scott will want to get his feet under the desk and settle down before the CHRMAP is put out for Public Comment.

And on the matter of the impending doom from sea-level rise, you may have noticed the 15 October Council Meeting Corporate Business Plan (page 29) that the Shire has carried over from last year, the proposal to spend ratepayers money for the next 4 years to "actively seek political support and progress development" of the Ledge Point Marina.
...now that Messrs Cook and Fewster who are on record supporting "Managed Retreat" have resigned, maybe sea-level rise wont be that much of a threat after all.... time will tell.

Send a message to learn more

20/09/2024

CHRMAP feedback: 17 September Council Meeting.

Council resolved to defer consideration of the CHRMAP until the following has occurred-

1. it has been advertised for public submissions - so the public have a chance to comment on the current draft.

2. The Community groups listed below are to appoint one member each as delegates to attend Steering Group meetings to consider amendments the CHRMAP following the public submissions

• Lancelin District Community Association
• Lancelin Chamber of Commerce
• Friends of Lancelin Coast
• Ledge Point Community Association
• Seabird Progress Association
• Guilderton Community Association.

3. The draft amended CHRMAP will be independently peer reviewed.

4. After the peer review process has been completed and considered by the Steering Committee, the Council will consider a recommendation from the Steering Group as to when the revised document should be advertised for public submissions.

5. Public submissions on the revised CHRMAP will take place.

6. At the completion of the public submission period, Council will consider a recommendation from the Steering Group with respect to adoption of the amended CHRMAP.

Comment:

1. This brings to a close a very regrettable period where the Shire President and the CEO treated the community's overwhelming rejection of the 2023 CHRMAP with complete indifference - both sought to have Council adopt the CHRMAP in the June Concil meeting.

2. We will be intouch with the Community groups shortly. Our job is to disseminate information into our communities and get consensus on what to feed back to the Steering Committee.

Thanks to all of the support from the coastal towns - this is a very serious matter and your future depends on getting this right.

Send a message to learn more

16/09/2024

Today is the day

The Shire of Gingin has plowed on with the Managed Retreat idea even although they are now aware that the local science proves that there has been little or no ocean level rises in Western Australia over the last 100 years

The agenda at todays meeting is to have everyone (Local groups, the Steering committee, the councillors etc.) discuss the Managed Retreat option in the current rewritten document.

There are not an agenda items to discuss changing the CHRMAP to Protect and Accommodate.

If you want your home to be worthless and be forced to move inland then this is not a problem.

However, if you believe that this is wrong then please write, call and email all councillors and the CEO with your concerns.

Come to the meeting today at 3pm, 7 Brockman Street Gingin to instruct them what you think is right for our Private Properties.

Here is the legislation for the Managed Retreat — it is rather concerning.

A "perfect" storm is about to hit

16/09/2024

At the Council meeting for tomorrow, the CEO on behalf of the Council has proposed to defer further consideration of the CHRMAP and

- appoint members of the community to the Steering Committee (SC) as observers
- Reinstate the SC
- Amend the CHRMAP as recommended by the SC
- Conduct a Peer Review
- The SC will consider the Peer Review and make recommendations whether the CHRMAP is ready for public submissions
- Public Submissions will be referred to the SC for consideration
- The SC will amend the CHRMAP as they see fit and send to Council with a recommendation to adopt or not.

I kid you not - this could be a script from “Yes Minister”!!

First and foremost, it is wholly improper to have unelected bureaucrats participate in decisions on our behalf. Besides, that is not the role of a Steering Committee to determine the contents of the CHRMAP and never has been.

Mr Cook is proposing that the Council delegate its responsibilities to the Steering Committee. That’s not going to happen. Not on our watch.

It’s solely up to Council to represent the interests of ratepayers otherwise it makes a farce of the community consultation.

When have you ever seen a bureaucrat disagree with the State or State policy? The Steering Committee can only provide general advice and guidance. It’s NOT going to determine our future. What a stupid suggestion.

Second, the Councilors have never considered the first round of public submissions from 2023 - there were over 290 with a 90% rejection of the CHRMAP recommendations.

Once again CEO Cook is going off like a lose cannon and creating a process outside the agreed CHRMAP process. Frankly it’s unbelievable!

Page 257 of the CHRMAP says that changes are justified to the CHRMAP and “once Council has reviewed and endorsed the changes, the consultants will finalise the CHMAP” - well Council has never considered the changes and now Cook want to play Yes Minister and hand the process to unelected bureaucrats.

It’s not on. We’ve had our say and the Council needs to consider the community concerns and rewrite the CHRMAP taking us into account including the issues that have been raised in the 2024 community meetings.

I suppose the silver lining is with the deferral of the CHRMAP process there is no longer a need to keep Mr. Cook employed.

Hopefully the majority of the Council have the sense to reject the CEOs recommendation and proceed as set out in the current draft CHRMAP.

13/09/2024

Kate is a massively talented researcher of government legislation and the written agenda of the WEF, WHO, UN etc. the non elected NGO's (Non Government Corporations).

She backs up what she says with the paperwork.

This is not a conspiracy.

Check out her latest post.

It may shock you as the agenda has very serious consequences for us all — not just the Lancelin locals.

https://kate739.substack.com/p/threats-to-private-home-ownership

This is a must read.

A "perfect" storm is about to hit

12/09/2024

Councillor Jason Weeks interviews Kate Mason who explains the legislation on Managed Retreat.

How it will affect us all (not just Lancelin) and the rest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn9E3jdiunk&t=1s

Shire Meeting next Tuesday 17th September
Gingin Shire Offices
7 Brockman Street, Gingin
3pm

Please come along with questions as THE SHIRE OF GINGIN is pushing this for Lancelin where there is no science to back it up.

Last week I was asked by a Western Australian Councillor Jason Weeks to present to the small community of Lancelin, which is facing managed retreat. Lanceli...

11/09/2024

The Council meeting next Tuesday 17 September at 3pm and will again address the Coastal Hazard Management Strategy. If you can, please attend.

At the Special Electors meeting on 13 August, there was unanimous rejection of the “managed retreat” recommendation in favour of “protect and accommodate”.

The CHRMAP authors agree there is no scientific justification for the managed retreat recommendation:

quote “Whilst it is recognised that coastal hazard assessments are predictive in nature, and that no specific impact can be known with any certainty, the technical accuracy of the document is based on agreed policy.” (2024 CHRMAP page 163)

The “retreat” recommendation for the coastal towns has no underlying factual or scientific validation. In fact, its 100% contradictory to the 107 year record for the WA coast.

CHRMAP authors also state:

“..that retreat is a complex proposal, and there is no detail regarding any long term plan for this possibility. Planning for retreat requires a significant strategic planning exercise..” (page 263)

“Planned or managed retreat is an option that can be applied to manage coastal erosion and inundation hazards; however, this option requires a significant investment of public resources to fund acquisitions. (page 150)

"From a practical perspective, implementation of managed retreat may require the State or Commonwealth to provide the majority of funding to acquire property.”

“Funding programs offered at the State level do not currently provide amounts which facilitate property acquisitions, and there has been no indication to date that this situation will change in the near future.” (page 150)

“Notwithstanding, it is clear from the 259 responses received during this phase, which is a very high number for a public consultation phase, that the local community and the broader visitor community requires greater clarity, more information and ongoing education regarding the purpose and intent of a CHRMAP”. (page 257)

Any Councillor that votes in favour of a “managed retreat” before these important issues are resolved is acting in reckless disregard for your interests. There is no timeline for a CHRMAP, and what your Shire and Council should be doing is pushing back on the State.

Neither Shire Management nor Councillors have any idea what “managed retreat” means or how it will work, nor does the State nor do the “experts” that wrote your CHRMAP.

The CHRMAP cannot be allowed to proceed with anything less than an “accommodate and protect” recommendation until and unless these essential policy and practical issues are resolved.

Send a message to learn more

10/09/2024

Councillor Jason Weeks Interviews Kate Mason

Private Home Ownership is now under serious threat due to already passed legislation and "Climate Change" computer modelling (not real science).

This is happening world wide.

The Shire of Gingin current CHRMAP "Managed Retreat" is just the start of this global land grab by the unelected private corporation that is called the United Nations.

We can stop this by forcing certain members of our council to use the real science that shows that there is no or very little ocean level rise.

Real Science
BOM records show 0.01mm rise since the 1990's and The Department of Transport records shows a minor change since the 1890's less than six inches in 100 years and this is probably land subsistence as occurs with heavy buildings and ground water extraction.

Please support us to stop this.

Come to the council meeting where this will be discussed.

Write, email and ring the councillors the CEO and let them know what you think.

https://kate739.substack.com/p/managed-retreat-governments-are-broke/comments

Here is the full interview for those interested, it is very well worth the watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6CxsE-okRI&t=2355s

The role of infrastructure ownership in the upcoming wide spread managed retreat swindle

04/09/2024

Just a reminder this is on tonight.

Jason Weeks Interviews Kate Mason — Managed Retreat Expert

The Lancelin Sand Hotel downstairs bar
From 6-8pm
On Wednesday the 4th of September

Please come along and ask Kate questions about what "managed retreat" is and how it will affect your property.

Here is the link for one interview about Managed Retreat that Kate has done.

https://kate739.substack.com/p/managed-retreat-adaption-plans-privatised

Our page has short videos of Kates talks.

See you there.

The Australian government is "transforming" private property ownership using catastrophic climate modelling