Anger rises over pit plan

As the decision of the proposed limestone quarry pit looms over the Harvey Shire Council, Binningup residents are continuing to ensure their voices are being heard. Angry protest signs are being erected all over the coastal town in a bid to detour the 26ha extraction plan. However, the council warns that any signs that residents are hoping to resurrect, would be removed. Harvey shire president Paul Gillett said the council was “taking action to remove the signs, which is considered littering under the Local Government act”. Binningup resident Peter Matthews said he was opposed to the pit being dug in Binningup. He feared the seaside town was progressing into an industrial area with the desalination plant, limestone quarry pits and nearby Kemerton Industrial Park which is situated just over 10km from the Binningup townsite. “We came to live in Binningup to be by the beach, not to be by industrial activity,” he said. However, Cr Gillett said he did not believe Binningup was being turned into an industrial area. “The town is not for that purpose as we have the Kemerton Industrial Park,” he said. The park, which is also visible from Binningup, is a heavy industrial site used for lithium hydroxide processing, silica sand production and silicon production, among other processing activities. “Binningup is a well sought after coastal suburb in the shire with great people,” Cr Gillett said. “We don’t see this town being turned into an industrial area.” Shire manager of planning services Simon Hall said he also did not believe Binningup would turn into an industrial town. “The land to the east of Binningup is zoned for general farming and there is limited opportunity for industrial use,” Mr Hall said. The proposal coincided with the closure of Binningup’s beloved Lakewood Shores Golf Course, although Mr Hall confirmed the two matters were “entirely separate”. Cr Gillett also said he did not believe Binningup house values would drop.