Proposed Goldmine in WA's Great Southern Raises Concerns about Carnaby's Black Cockatoo Populations

Conservation groups have voiced concerns about the potential impact of a proposed goldmine in Western Australia's Great Southern on the endangered Carnaby's black cockatoo population. The mine's site is approximately 36 kilometers from the town of Katanning and involves the clearing of 50 hectares of native vegetation containing 82 trees with hollows, which could significantly impact the species' breeding, roosting, and foraging habits. To mitigate these effects, Ausgold, the company behind the proposal, is exploring offset options, including revegetation and the creation of cockatoo foraging habitats.

Key Takeaways:

• The proposed goldmine site is approximately 36 kilometers from Katanning and involves the clearing of 50 hectares of native vegetation containing 82 trees with hollows, potentially impacting the Carnaby's black cockatoo population.
• Ausgold is exploring offset options, including revegetation and the creation of cockatoo foraging habitats, but has yet to finalize them.
• Dean Arthurell from Carnaby's Crusaders stated that offsets facilitate more clearing and destruction, highlighting the long time it takes for trees to form hollows suitable for the bird species.
• The proposed mine site will have broader impacts, including light pollution, noise pollution, dust, and the widening of roads, which may lead to the decline and potential disappearance of the population from the areas.
• The Woorgabup nature reserve, a key habitat for the birds, is surrounded on three sides by the proposed mine site.
• Ausgold executive chairman John Dorward stated that stringent environmental checks are being undertaken at a state and federal level and the company is designed the project to minimize its impact.
• The mine is expected to employ approximately 250 people during construction and 350 full-time staff when in production.
• Shire of Katanning president Kristy D'Aprile emphasized that the council is working to ensure the local community benefits from the project's economic opportunities.
• Ausgold is expected to produce approximately 1.14 million ounces of gold over the life of the mine, based on drilling completed so far.
• The mine is expected to last for 10 years, but Ausgold is aiming to extend its life by continuing to produce gold.

Statistics:

• 50 hectares of native vegetation will be cleared for the proposed goldmine (Ausgold).
• 82 trees with hollows will be impacted by the proposal (Ausgold).
• 36 kilometers is the distance from the town of Katanning to the proposed goldmine site (Article).
• 10 years is the estimated duration of the mine (Ausgold).
• 250 people will be employed during construction (Shire of Katanning).
• 350 full-time staff will be employed when the mine is in production (Shire of Katanning).
• 1.14 million ounces of gold is the expected production over the life of the mine (Ausgold).
• 140,000 ounces of gold is the expected annual production (Ausgold).
• Late 2027 is the expected date for the first gold pour (Ausgold).

Sources:

• Ausgold:

"The submission to the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Ausgold said it was exploring offset options but had yet to finalise them."

• Carnaby's Crusaders:

"Dean Arthurell from the Carnaby's Crusaders said the loss of the trees would have a significant impact. 'Offsets just facilitate more clearing and destruction,' he said."

• Shire of Katanning:

"The Shire of Katanning president Kristy D'Aprile said the council had been working to ensure the local community could get the most out of the opportunities presented by the project."

• Ausgold:

"Ausgold executive chairman John Dorward said the company was designed the project to minimize its impact."

• Ausgold:

"Ausgold is yet to make a submission to WA's Environmental Protection Authority."