The Victorian Government's announcement of a 4,000-hectare mining exclusion zone to protect the Gippsland food bowl has failed to win the support of some farmers in the area.
Earlier this week Victorian Resources Minister Jaclyn Symes announced protection for the Mitchell River floodplain from Glenaladale to Hillside, a valued horticultural area in the state's east that generates more than $100 million per year and provides up to 2,000 permanent and seasonal jobs.
The 4000-hectare exclusion zone covers an area along the Mitchell River from Glenaladale to Hillside.
The decision to exempt the area from mining and mineral exploration follows concerns about the proposed Kalbar Fingerboards mineral sands project at Glenaladale, which is located just outside the exempted area.
Kalbar plans to extract minerals including zircon and rutile, and — pending approval via an Environment Effects Statement (EES) — plans to begin construction of the project in 2020.
Water must be protected: farmer
Hillside's Busch Organic director Kane Busch said he was grateful for the announcement but believes protection must be extended for safety and water security.
"The three gigalitres (of water) that Kalbar needs, a lot of us growers could definitely do with that and we just can't afford to compete for that precious resource," Mr Busch said.
"We haven't faced any challenges like this and [there is] the threat of contamination and cancer-causing radiation.
"There is carcinogenic material deep down, and there's silica in there as well.
"I think they need to quash the proposal that Kalbar have in place.
"It was a good start, but there was a bill in the Senate passed (Monday) night for a drought relief fund.
"If they say horticulture is so important to them, then what about the water issues that we face down here?"
Contamination fears
Mine-free Glenaladale community supporter Debbie Carruthers said the Lindenow Valley, a renowned vegetable producing area, is only 500 metres downwind from the potential mine.
"If the mine proceeds it could potentially be shut down if there's contamination or if they compete with producers for water," Ms Carruthers said.
"The mine is going to need 3-4 gigalitres every year for 20 years and East Gippsland is in drought.
"That water could be redirected to the horticultural industry, a long-term sustainable industry.
"The safest way to protect the food bowl is to stop the mine.
"Richard Wynne (Minister for Planning) could stop it now before the EES.
"They need to listen to the concerns of the community."
Ms Symes said after the announcement that she is happy with the amount of land protected.
"What is important is that we've excluded that high value horticultural area," Ms Symes said.
"In relation to the surrounding areas, that is subject to an Environment Effects Statement at the moment, which will consider all of those impacts on the region, whether it's environmental impacts, industry impacts, or amenity impacts."
