WA:Coal mine labelled incompatible

AAP General News (Australia)
08-03-2010
WA:Coal mine labelled incompatible

PERTH, Aug 3 AAP - A proposed coal mine near the West Australian town of Margaret River
would be totally out of place in the popular wine and tourist region, the state's peak
environment group says.

Mining company LD Operations has begun community consultations for its Vasse Coal Project
about 15km from the town and says the mine would employ up to 200 workers.

But some residents, wineries and tourist operators have objected to the proposed underground
mine, fearing it could tarnish what makes the region attractive to locals and visitors.

The Conservation Council of WA says Margaret River is a world class winery, tourism
and surfing drawcard not suited to mines or to exploration oil drilling that has been
proposed for off the coast.

"Heavy industrial operations like oil drilling and coal mining are totally incompatible
with everything that makes the Margaret River region Western Australia's favourite holiday
destination," council director Piers Verstegen said.

A coal mine would have a range of serious environmental impacts including air pollution
damaging to human health and surrounding wineries, he said in a statement.

The mining could also have major impacts on the region's precious groundwater, Mr Verstegen said.

"Given the vulnerability of Australia's southwest to a drying climate, there is no
case to support coal mining in the area, which would only add to the climate change problem."

AAP ldj/scj

KEYWORD: MINE

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