POINT Cook’s protected wetlands, farms in Werribee South and densely populated suburbs across Wyndham and Hobsons Bay are sitting in the crosshairs of a large-scale coal exploration permit, a public meeting has been told.
Environmental campaigners met more than 20 people at Wyndham Vale’s eco-living centre last week, in a bid to rally community opposition to a coal exploration licence spanning 76,000 hectares. It crosses suburbs including Altona Meadows, Altona and Williamstown, Eynesbury, Williams Landing, Wyndham Vale and Truganina.
The licence, known as EL4507, is held by Western Victoria Energy, a subsidiary of Melbourne-based miner Regal Resources.
Regal Resources has operated a pilot plant in the You Yangs, in the west of the licence area, since April to trial a new technology for converting low-grade coal into a crude oil substitute by pumping steam into the coal beds and liquefying coal underground. The licence was granted 12 years ago and is due to expire on September 4.
Environment Victoria’s safe climate campaigner Victoria McKenzie-McHarg, who spoke at the meeting, said the licence posed a threat to residents, despite its age.
– Nick Toscano
