On Thursday evening over 100 members of the community from Braidwood, Majors Creek, Araluen and the south coast attended the Extraordinary Council Meeting in Braidwood’s National Theatre. 

There were 32 speakers from the public gallery. Only one, Unity Mining CEO Andrew McIllwain spoke in favour of the proposed Modifications. 31 speakers spoke against.

The meeting had been informed by the release, earlier in the week of the independent consultant’s review into the proposal. Dr Peter Beck of GHD was engaged by Palerang and Eurobodalla Council to analyse the Environmental Assessment Modification document lodged by Unity Mining. 

Dr Beck’s report was scathing of the lack of information provided in many areas, and included that it was “not a matter of if, but when the TSF (Tailings Storage Facility) would leak.”

Mr McIllwain took the stand for around 15 minutes including answering questions from the council. Cr Graham asked “in 50 years will your company act responsibly and with fidelity?”  noting that in WA there are “2800 mining leases where they don’t know where the owners are.”

Mt McIllwain said “the mine would have one of the most scrutinised and regulated processes in NSW.“ He said the obligations of the company are as long as the State deems is necessary. They are not released from the obligations until the State is satisfied. 

Mr McIllwain said the “structure of the environmental bonds is different in NSW.” He added that “We have just negotiated to put the almost $3million in the Bendigo Bank in Braidwood.”

Cr Marshall asked; “As the mine will be quite a lot more profitable, will there be more community contributions?” Mr McIllwain answered that the “Rec Ground contribution is indexed with CPI and is up to $425,000.” 

The issues raised by residents included physical issues with the mining operation and future of the mine site after the mine was closed, and the social impact or ‘social licence’ of the miner to operate in a community that was opposed to the mine. 

Speakers included farmers and producers who asked about the clean green reputation of the area, even if nothing went wrong. 

Many speakers expressed their loss of trust in the company with this new proposal. Former member of the community Consultative Committee Bill Waterhouse said “The early issues had been addressed. But now even people who were resigned to having the mine are now opposed.”

Another speaker commented that “Unity was pushing that the modifications would mean less truck movements through Braidwood and NSW, but the truck movements carrying cyanide would be infinitely more dangerous.”

Commenting on the TSF wall wall size increasing from 180,000 to 540,0000 cubic metres and the area increased from 9 - 16ha Mr McIllwain said “It will never slip down the gully.”

Residents also said they felt “aggrieved, we’ve been lied to and overlooked.” Another commented that “the economic and social impacts have not been given the time they deserve. There is no benefit to the community in this.”

Penny Hayman from Araluen congratulated the council on the report and said “you now have a moral obligation to act on it.”

Mathew Dickinson, the first downstream neighbour of the mine said he was “alarmed that the new elevated tailings dam will be 32 m high, which is 4 time the height of this building, behind which there is over a million tonnes inc 20t of various heavy metals. It’s not a question of if but when it will leak” he added. 

Karen Shea suggested “Perhaps the environmental bond should be increased to $50 million for 50 years.”

John Weeks said he had Never supported the mine and $4m bond won’t cut it, asking 

how many times will “the place will change hands before the dam does let go? “

Richard Roberts from the south coast said of the dam placement, “if you went out of your way to find the worst place you could put it, this is it.”

He added “Yesterday I contacted the Department  and they said the bond held by ML1675 is $740,000.”

Jan Phillips, a resident on the Deua River for 44 years spoke passionately about her home saying her “concern is one of love, your health. This issue has flowed from here to the coast, 

we sleep it, we dream it, the company will make a profit but what about our health? Risking our health, stress and heartache. It’s not just for 30 years. We will live with this continual concern and stress that something will come down the river and we’re not going to know in time.”

One farmer from Araluen asked “put yourselves in our shoes. Would you buy a property downstream of a tailings dam? 

When the Motion was moved to oppose the modifications Cr Hicks spoke against it asking  “what lodging a submission would do?” He added that the “location on top of a hill would be an advantage in not being flooded.” He said he had sons and “I want them to have jobs.”

Cr Marshal said even “ MP John Barilaro is against it”. He said the Mine had “lost the faith of the community” and that it “smacks of development by stealth.”

Cr Schweikert  said he wouldn’t vote for or against it as “It’s just a draft. There is inadequate information.”

Cr Graham explained that it was “insufficient’ in the application. “his report is written on the application. That is black and white - clear as the sun coming up tomorrow. I respect Cr Hicks but all the points you expressed are meaningless. The reason we’re making a submission if to give voice to these people.”

“In the strongest possible way we need to embu the community with the clear sense with no ambiguity of the way this community feels.”

Cr France added “It’s not a matter of it, but when the dam will fail. It’s our job to represent that to the Government.”

Following the meeting Unity Mining said that Eurobodalla Shire Council’s draft submission to the Dargues Gold Mine public exhibition process, is based on flawed evidence. CEO, Andrew McIlwain said the GHD report that forms the basis of both Eurobodalla’s and Palerang’s submission has let both Councils down.

“The GHD report commissioned by both councils is fundamentally flawed in content and process,” said Mr McIlwain. “Aside from factual errors and a lack of understanding of the planning process, the GHD draft on which this submission is based, was produced without viewing key documentation and prior to a site visit or a briefing from us, the proponent.”

“This has left the report littered with errors and false assumptions,” said Mr McIlwain.

The Councils submission also asserts that in 2011 it agreed to discontinue proceedings in the Land and Environment Court on the condition that mine operators did not use cyanide at the project site. 

“That is false. The use of cyanide was not part of the original project application and to imply so is an attempt to fuel the perception that we’re deliberately deceiving the public,” said Mr McIlwain.  

“I understand the GHD report and the Council’s own submission are quite emotive. I appreciate much of this emotion stems from the perceived breach of trust – the fact that we’re revisiting this project at all and considering the inclusion of cyanide.

“Yet it's not a request we have made lightly nor without transparency. This is an open and honest conversation that we’ve been having since late 2014. I have always endeavoured to conduct that conversation with integrity. I’ve availed myself and staff to answer any questions, and been open to any suggestions that could improve the project,” said Mr McIlwain.

While Mr McIlwain says he understands the emotive nature of the debate, he says he’s disappointed that the Council has allowed this to compromise its professionalism.

UPDATE: On Tuesday morning Eurobodalla Shire Council voted unanimously to oppose the modifications in their submission.

Related Story: http://www.braidwoodtimes.com.au/story/3304982/accuracy-of-rainfall-data-has-residents-worried/?cs=741