By Lauren Henry

Horsham Mayor Brian Klowss has hit back at an invitation to join WIM Resource’s Community and Coexistence Reference Group.

WIM Resource had written to the council inviting it to be a member on its new CCRG for the proposed Avonbank mineral sands mine at Dooen.

WIM Resource applied for a mining licence for the project, which spans 3426 hectares, staged over 38 years, and is about 1.3 kilometres north-east of Dooen – eight kilometres north-east of Horsham, in March last year. 

It has received Environmental Effects Statement approval.

Cr Klowss said Horsham council believed such a group was premature given WIM Resource had not received a mining licence approval.

“There may be a place for such a reference group in the future, if the mining licence is granted, but council can’t afford to be putting resources into something that has not received approval and may not ever receive approval,” he said.

Cr Klowss said there were still a lot of questions that remain unanswered with the Avonbank mine.

“A decision on the mining licence was due in January 2026 and continues to be delayed, so something is not quite right,” he said.

“I think the community has the right to ask, how many extensions of time does a proponent continue to get, to prove their project stacks up?”

Cr Klowss said he had written to Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio and met with her advisers and department heads seeking answers.

“Unfortunately, the minister has not been available to meet with us to discuss this directly, but we will continue to offer this invitation. I hope the minister will see the importance of this decision to the community and come to Horsham for a meeting,” he said.

“I’ve also met with WIM Resource executive, earlier this year, to outline community concerns and give them the opportunity to demonstrate how they will respond to these concerns to ensure community and environmental safety. I’ve been unable to get those assurances from WIM.

“Things like real time monitoring of health and environmental factors, infrastructure to adequately control dust mitigation and removal of the Wimmera Intermodal Fright Terminal rail siding from the mining licence are just some of the factors within WIM’s control, yet they’ve showed no movement on any of these issues.”

Cr Klowss said the council would ‘not support this project unless it can prove it’s safe for the environment, fair to the community, and beneficial in the long-run’.

“This mine will impact our region for generations, and we demand firm, enforceable commitments that protect our community, our farmland, and our future,” he said.

In response to questions by The Weekly Advertiser, WIM Resource project director Michael Winternitz said the company wanted local people and organisations to have ‘a meaningful role’ in shaping how the project delivered benefits for the region. 

Mr Winternitz said WIM was focused on making its community engagement more visible, practical and connected to local priorities, including through the establishment of the new group.

“WIM believes community benefits should not be designed in isolation, and that is why we are asking the community for their input,” he said.

“The CCRG is separate from the statutory mining licence process and does not presume the outcome of that process. Rather, it ensures that as the project progresses, a structured forum is in place for local voices to help shape priorities, test whether proposed initiatives reflect community needs, and raise emerging concerns and opportunities.”

WIM has approached a broad range of community organisations, agencies and stakeholders about participating in the CCRG, with discussions underway with prospective members. 

Expressions of Interest are also open for community members who would like to participate. 

“WIM accepts Horsham Rural City Council’s decision not to participate in the CCRG at this time, but remains open to council’s future involvement, and WIM has held a constructive meeting with the council CEO recently regarding the CCRG and will follow up to discuss their involvement,” Mr Winternitz said.

He said the project continued to progress through the remaining statutory approvals process, with WIM providing information as required. 

• Mine Free Wimmera Farms’ letter, page 11.

The entire July 15, 2026 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!