Join the Friends of Anglesea River for a community meeting to discuss their ongoing fight against mining bid.
Friends of Anglesea River are calling on the community to discuss the ongoing effects of groundwater pumping in the local area, with an update on their Dump the Pump campaign.
The meeting comes after American mining corporation ALCOA recently submitted a formal groundwater license‘ application and Friends of Anglesea River continue its five-year fight against this latest water bid.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
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ALCOA began mining for coal in Anglesea in 1969, using the aquifer’s water, known as groundwater, to generate steam and electricity. This continued until the mines closure in 2015.
Professor Haese contends that ALCOA’s 46 years of groundwater extraction caused the aquifer’s water level to drop from near the surface to around 70 metres below sea level; a decline ALCOA acknowledges. He further argues, that this drop has dried out the swamplands feeding the Anglesea River, leading to the current acidic surface soils.
According to an ALCOA spokesperson, the recent ‘formal groundwater license‘ application is backed by four years of “technical work completed by expert consultants”.
The spokesperson said “rigorous scientific and technical testing has indicated that the acidity of the Anglesea River is influenced by naturally occurring factors” and filling the mine with water was the “most suitable option” to ensure a “safe and stable landform”.
A Friends of Anglesea River spokesperson said the meeting will host Professor Haese, who will talk about the impact decades of unsustainable groundwater pumping has had on the Anglesea River, and why it is important that pumping is not allowed to resume.
“We’ll then talk about what steps you can take to help prevent the current application from moving forward, and some of the fun events that we have in the works,” the spokesperson said.
“We’re also organising our Paddle In demonstration event on the river with kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, surfboards and all; people will also be able to walk along the banks to show their support.”
Friends of Anglesea River are meeting on Wednesday 21 May at 6.30pm at the Anglesea Pub (and it’s parmi night, with a delicious vegan parmi on the menu for plant-based folk) and the Paddle In is set for June 21.
