Endangered grass! LOL "Dr Jolly said the ramifications of losing...

Endangered grass! LOL

"Dr Jolly said the ramifications of losing the grasslands were huge, with much of Victoria's native species already lost."

OK... so what were the "huge ramifications" of the "much" which has already been lost?

"...when almost 100 people were invited...up to 200 cars accessing the site..." This same journalist continues to publish biased articles. He forgot to mention only 40% of those invited bothered to turn up. The 'keep off the grass' sentiment could prove to be ironically appropriate.

A local environmental group here (FNQ) just caused a property developer to part with close to $18k to have a waterway surveyed for a "rare and endangered" frog which breeds in the creek. Turned out to be your common green tree frog!

A more balanced article was recently published in the Melton Leader by Ami Humpage 6 Dec 11

"Go-ahead for more drilling in Bacchus Marsh"

MANTLE Mining has the green light from Bacchus Marsh landowners to test-drill on private properties.

Drilling on the remaining 11 holes in the company’s planned 15-hole exploration project is due to start this week.

Mantle Mining exploration manager Callum Lamont said about half of the 11 holes were on private property.

All but one of the affected landholders had agreed that work could start on their land, he said.

“We have been in negotiations with affected landholders and have come to an agreement with them for access and compensation,” he said.

“We’ve also met with landholders nearby that could be impacted by the work and have found most are willing to assist with the process.”

The exploration project has drawn strong opposition from the community and environmental groups. But Mr Lamont said there was also a lot of support.

“We have a strong relationship with landholders involved, and there is certainly support and understanding in the community,” he said.

The company expects to complete drilling on two of the holes before Christmas. It will resume drilling early in the new year.

Mr Lamont warned it would be a long time before a decision was made on the project’s viability.

“We are hoping stage one will be complete in February 2012 and we should then be able to determine if it is viable to continue to the next stage,” he said.

Under the Joint Ore Reserves Committee Code, the obligatory standard for mining companies, five stages have to be met before mining planning is considered.

Each completed stage brought increased confidence for investors and indicated whether it was economically viable to pursue the project, Mr Lamont said.

“Our ultimate aim is to mine, that’s our target,” he said.

"We will be informing the community as we progress and, at the mining planning stage, we will be inviting them to discuss ways of minimising the impact on the community.”



My favourite bit...
“We have a strong relationship with landholders involved, and there is certainly support and understanding in the community...”

In terms of those who matter the most, only one landholder refusing entry isn't much opposition. Hope her horses keep well away from that endangered grass.