Resources Victoria has requested information about the status and outcome of the Commonwealth process as that information is relevant to Resources Victoria’s assessment of WIM’s mining licence application.
Horsham Rural City Council and Mine Free Wimmera Farms have been outspoken in their criticism of WIM Resource in the past month after the mining group announced its intention to establish a community reference and coexistence group, as well as a rehabilitation review group for the Avonbank project, which proposes to mine 3426 hectares about 1.3 kilometres north-east of Dooen. WIM Resource projects director Michael Winternitz said the Commonwealth approval process was also underway but was taking longer than originally anticipated.
“This is a common requirement for any major mining projects involving foreign investment, even when majority are Australian owned, such as WIM,” he said.
Mr Winternitz said WIM had provided all the requested information to date and was confident a satisfactory outcome would be reached.
“If the Commonwealth process is completed earlier, WIM will provide the relevant information to Resources Victoria,” he said.
“WIM will continue to progress every aspect of the Avonbank Project within its control, including project planning, and continuing to engage in an open and transparent manner with landholders, First Nations and a range of local stakeholders.
“WIM will also continue developing community benefit initiatives through the recently announced Avonbank Community Reference and Coexistence Group, so the Avonbank project is well positioned to move forward to deliver benefits to the region, while at the same time coexisting with the agricultural sector for the economic betterment of the region and the state.”
Shadow Minister for Agriculture and the Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, said the application carried serious concerns over water security, the integrity of the Environmental Effects Statement, and the protection of productive agricultural land and existing farm and food operations, all of which had so far fallen on deaf ears with the Labor government.
“There are too many unanswered questions, too many shortcomings in the assessment process and too much at stake for agriculture and food production in our region. This should be urgently addressed by Jaclyn Symes as she begins in her new ministry,” Ms Kealy said.
The entire July 29, 2026 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
