Katanning must prepare for Ausgold mining project, warns shire president Kristy D’Aprile at community workshop

Katanning is on the brink of a massive change and must prepare for the impact of the proposed Badgebup gold mine, according to shire president Kristy D’Aprile.

The Katanning gold project mine is slated for a site 35km east of the town, and still has environmental processes to pass, but Cr D’Aprile told a community workshop on February 4 it would bring major issues which the town should face on the front foot.

“Katanning is on the precipice of change,” she said.

“The Katanning gold project has the potential to bring significant opportunity to Katanning and the wider Great Southern region.

“With that opportunity also comes change and challenge for our community.”

The aim of the workshop was to work out how best to collaborate in the face of the mine’s likely arrival.

Participants included representatives from education, business, paramedics, volunteer groups, and community leaders.

Cr D’Aprile said it was vital to plan, assuming the mine would get the go-ahead to start operations.

“It is important that we work closely with our community to minimise surprises,” she said.

“We need to ensure we are prepared for the change that is coming, particularly in respect to things like housing, workforce retention, roads and traffic safety, and demand for community services.

“Our businesses also need to plan ahead and to position themselves to capitalise on the opportunities that may present.”

Concerns presented at the meeting included employee retention and worries that organisations like St John WA or the bush fire brigade could lose volunteers because of increased callouts.

“The erosion of volunteers, especially in the emergency services, because of higher demand and a diminishing base could be catastrophic,” Cr D’Aprile said.

“A key issue is our need for a CT scanner at the health service — we have so many ambulance journeys out of town because we haven’t got one.”

Mine developer Ausgold is proposing a drive-in, drive-out workforce and believes it will need 250 workers for construction and about 350 employees throughout its projected 10 years of operation.

They would be housed in an accommodation village on shire-owned land between Henry and Crosby streets, just west of Katanning, which it has leased from the shire.

Cr D’Aprile said Ausgold were progressing the site and would be presenting a planning application soon.

“That application will trigger a process for community feedback, and while we have had some feedback through the grapevine around the lease, this will allow us to share the impact of the village on the community,” she said.

Cr D’Aprile said the workshop was a chance to engage early with local people.

She said comments at the workshop around staff retention and housing had been received “loud and clear”.

“The shire acknowledges the value of early engagement and constructive dialogue in supporting positive outcomes for the community,” she said.

“The workshop represented an important first step in exploring opportunities for collaboration and ensuring community perspectives are considered as discussions progress.

“The Shire of Katanning will continue to work with stakeholders and Ausgold as conversations develop, and will keep the community informed as further information becomes available.”

There is opposition to the mine because of its impact on surrounding wildlife, especially endangered Carnaby’s cockatoos and red-tailed phascogales.

The Environmental Protection Authority has asked Ausgold for more information after 338 of 361 submissions during a 10-day period of public consultation called for a public environmental review.