Shire of Waroona lodges several objections to three exploration licences from Rio Tinto in Wardens Court

The Shire of Waroona has lodged several objections in the Wardens Court to three exploration licence bids for Rio Tinto to conduct exploration within the Darling Scarp. On March 10, the Shire received notice that Rio Tinto had submitted several exploration licence applications within the area, including the shires of Murray, Waroona and Harvey. The Shire said the application areas contained the last remaining strands of northern jarrah forest within Australia, and Rio had not forwarded any details on the method of exploration, the proposed work program, or its technical and financial ability. The Shire said this information was important in allowing the Shire to understand the scale, extent and nature of the proposed works. “Based on the information presently available, these applications may not be consistent with the State and local planning framework, nor the community expectations for these forested areas,” Shire documents stated. “The subject land is reserved for ‘State Forests’ and ‘Regional Open Space’ under Local Planning Scheme No. 7. “Much of this land forms water catchment areas for public drinking water and are also extremely important to the district’s ecological health, environmental conservation goals, as well as economic development prospects and significant cultural and Indigenous heritage.” The Shire said continuing with the objection through the Warden’s Court would require Rio Tinto to disclose important information such as the method of exploration, details of the proposed work program and technical supporting information.