Rashelle Predovnik – Page 13

Chalice shares crash as miner announces Julimar start date

By Michael Sinclair-Jones
CHALICE Mining shares crashed 30 per cent last month after the company revealed plans for a Julimar open-cut mine worth $18 billion to start production in six years’ time.

The shock market reaction caught the Perth miner by surprise but it hasn’t stopped plans to start processing up to 30 million tonnes of ore a year, starting in early 2029.

Chalice says local groundwater will not be used but has yet to announce how it will dispose of millions of litres of waste water contaminated by mineral processing.

A scoping study suggests it could total up to 18 million litres a year based on an estimated 0.6 litres of water needed per tonne of ore.

A tailings dump to store up to 30 million tonnes of discarded waste annually is also planned for Chalice-owned farmland.

The miner said it will seek Federal and State environmental approvals early next year, and start construction in mid-2026.

About 1200 workers would be needed for contruction and 500 for mining operations.

Chalice told the Australian Stock Exchange on August 29 that it would give job priority to local workers.

“These jobs will be particularly attractive given their proximity to Perth and the lifestyle values of the surrounding region,” the miner said.

A Chalice scoping study said a new kilometre-wide open-cut mine would pay for itself in the first two years of operation.

Some market analysts blamed the share price crash on the 2029 start date while others claimed Chalice had over-valued its Julimar discovery by basing projections on assumed future metal prices instead of current values.

The miner has drilled a large area of Julimar farmland and State forest where it has discovered what it describes as a “world class” deposit of rare metals that are in high demand to combat global warming.

Tests have revealed significant amounts of palladium, platinum, cobalt, nickel and copper, which Chalice says are needed to produce electric vehicles, ‘green’ hydrogen and fossil-free renewable energy.

Chalice plans to mine nearly half a million ounces of palladium, platinum and gold a year at Julimar, plus 16,000 tonnes of nickel, 16,000 tonnes of copper and 1400 tonnes of cobalt annually until 2047.

It also plans to build a Julimar processing plant to crush ore and use sulfide flotation to produce an ore concentrate for export to precious metals refineries overseas.

An area two thirds of the surface area of the Kalgoorlie Super Pit will be used for an open-cut mine and tailings dump on Chalice-owned farmland near Keating Road.

Exploratory drilling has discovered further similar deposits in the nearby State-registered Julimar Conservation Park but this area is excluded from current plans.

The forest contains rare and endangered native birds, plants and animals, and has prompted calls for the State Government to upgrade its status to national park to protect it from future mining.

In response to the share price crash, Chalice said “we appreciate it may take time for the market to absorb and fully digest the study”.

“Chalice remains well-funded to pursue development of the project with over $140 million in cash,” the company said.

The mine would also require a new 132kV Western Power line to be built from Muchea to Julimar and a new transformer substation to be installed at the minesite.

The company says it will ask the Water Corporation to build a new 50km pipeline to Julimar to deliver water to the minesite.

Chalice said it would provide future “modelling on noise impacts” for surrounding farms and rural residential properties.

Whitewater drama at Extracts Weir

This year’s dry winter created havoc for power boats at Extracts Weir where low water levels turned the slippery rock wall into a formidable obstacle in last month’s 50th annual Avon Descent river race through Toodyay.

Vandals wreck Noongar cultural display at Redbank Pool

VANDALS have wrecked a local Noongar cultural interpretive display at Redbank Pool.

The site has historical significance as a traditional meeting place for local Ballardong and Yued families prior to colonial settlement.

It contains a bird hide with two large Gnulla Moort (Our Family) panels that describe how local Aboriginal people inhabited the area 200 years ago.

The damage was discovered early this month by Noongar Kaartdijin Aboriginal Corporation member Helen Shanks.

It appears that someone has used keys or a screwdriver to gouge through the descriptive artwork.

Toodyay police say they are investigating.

Cr says budget fails ratepayers – doesn’t explain why

By Michael Sinclair-Jones
AN ACRIMONIOUS dispute erupted at the end of last month’s Toodyay Shire Council special meeting when members voted 6-1 to approve a seven per cent rate rise.

The increase aims to raise $7.6 million in ratepayer revenue this financial year.

Cr Mick McKeown (left) objected to the increase and other budget statements of account.

“In my opinion this budget does not adequately address the concerns of the ratepayers of Toodyay,” he said.

McKeown did not speak further to his objection.

“Right, it’s a bit late in the day to mention it,” Shire President Rosemary Madacsi said as she recorded Cr McKeown’s objection.

Earlier, councillors voted 7-0 to give themselves a pay rise this financial year.

“Point of order, Madam President,” Cr McKeown said.

“Are you making a comment or having a debate or ruling on a point or order?”

“I am making a comment, councillor,” President Madacsi said.

“I think you need to withdraw it,” Cr McKeown said.

“No, I don’t think so,” President Madacsi said.

“We’ve had … the comment I think was valid given the amount of workshops (eight since last December) we’ve had.

“If there was a concern with the budget …”

“Madam President, you are now debating,” Cr McKeown said.

“I’m not debating, I’m making a …” President Madacsi said.

“Oh, I think you are …” Cr McKeown said.

Both began talking over each other.

“You are overruling the presiding member,” President Madacsi said.

“I’m interrupting the presiding member on a point of order,” Cr McKeown said.

“You have a point of order for constantly interrupting and over-speaking the presiding member,” President Madacsi said.

“There is no rule against interrupting a presiding member,” Cr McKeown said.

“There is a rule that says you are not to interrupt another councillor except when raising a point of order.”

“Then I suggest you become more familiar with standing orders please,” President Madacsi said.

“Councillor, we will move on.”

Members voted 7-0 to accept five of the meeting’s seven budget recommendations.

The other two recommendations were carried 6-1, with Cr McKeown voting against both but not speaking further.

They included $360,000 in annual State Treasury loan repayments for a previous council’s decision in 2019 to build the now largely unused Toodyay Recreation Centre.

Cr McKeown declined later to explain to Herald readers why he said the budget failed to adequately address ratepayer concerns, and why he twice voted ‘no’ at the meeting.

“I now may not make any elaboration regarding this matter because to do so may be a breach of clause 4(1)(e) of the Shire of Toodyay Code of Conduct for Council Members, Committee Members and Candidates,” Cr McKeown said.

The clause published on the shire website under the heading ‘Personal integrity’ says a council member “should avoid damage to the reputation of local government”.

Three council seats up for grabs

THREE sitting Toodyay shire councillors will recontest their seats at next month’s WA local government elections.

Shire President Rosemary Madacsi, Shire Deputy President Beth Ruthven and Cr Susan Pearce – whose four-year terms expire next month – have all formally nominated for the October 21 poll.

Nominations for three council vacancies close at 4pm on Thursday October 7 – one day after The Herald goes to press.

More candidates are expected to stand.

Please explain

AS A REGULAR watcher of livestreamed council meetings, I was concerned when in the Special Council Meeting of August 28 Councillor Mick McKeown objected to the budget, saying:

“In my opinion, this budget does not adequately address the concerns of the ratepayers of Toodyay.”

He provided no evidence to support his opinion.

As a ratepayer, elector and community member, I found this bald statement with no explanation, justification or suggestions as to how these putative concerns could be met disrespectful to the community, councillors and Shire staff.

Jo Hart
Morangup

Mining alone not the answer

THE SCEPTICISM to mining by many in the community that was highlighted in last month’s Herald is hardly surprising.

It is based on plenty of evidence to show the mining industry is masterly at promoting the benefits – so called jobs, jobs, jobs –, but woefully poor at either informing the community of the downsides, in particular environmental destruction, or fixing up the damage afterwards.

Those very downsides were highlighted by one correspondent in the same edition and no doubt there will be more unhappy letter writers as activity ramps up if and when the State Government gives approval for Chalice’s open-pit plans.

No doubt there will be some people who will end up with jobs generated by Chalice activity who would otherwise not have had local employment.

That is an undeniable plus.

But we should caution about throwing all our eggs into the mining basket as the salvation to the challenges faced by country towns such as Toodyay.

Those challenges were also highlighted in the August edition which had news of yet another business closure in the town to add to others we have heard about recently, including one of our two remaining pubs.

The reasons for such closures are varied, and the country is still dealing with the effects of the post-pandemic economy, including very low unemployment and a shortage of skilled staff.

But the ability of all communities to survive changing economic circumstances is dependent in large part on having a diverse economy.

Surely what Toodyay needs, as well as the seemingly inevitable mining activity and the long-established agricultural industry, is a third leg to the economic stool, namely development of its tourism potential.

The attractions of the Avon Valley and Toodyay itself are much talked about in our local community but I suggest many of the nearly two million people that live on our doorstep are unaware of it or have not yet visited our region.

The good news is that we are not starting from scratch as Toodyay does already attract some of those two million people to events such as the Avon Descent, and the Moondyne and Fibre Festivals.

But surely we need to build on that success with a more genuine comprehensive tourist strategy that attracts visitors more evenly through the week and throughout the year?

This is not to point the finger at the local council as is often the wont of others in the columns of this local newspaper.

Some have talked about the need for a Toodyay Chamber of Commerce which could certainly contribute to a comprehensive tourism development strategy.

Whatever the strategy, it will not be an easy task because it will require the investment of significant skills and time for some in our community.

But we can surely learn from the efforts of other local towns such as Bridgetown that have succeeded in turning their local communities into more thriving ones where people want to both live and work.

A healthier, more diverse economy, aside from all the obvious benefits on employment, etc. might also enable the community to make better and informed choices about how it wants the town and the local environment to be developed in a more sustainable and liveable way.

Andrew St John
Toodyay

Peculiar creatures

PECULIAR creatures, these Wagyl.

The first time Wagyl appeared on the Wadjela scene was some years ago in connection with alterations on Mounts Bay Road in Perth.

The displeasure of this mythical creature was a costly item in the State budget of the day.

Fast forward to the Graham Farmer tunnel, which involved shifting considerable quantities of soil – not a murmur from the Wagyl – perhaps because of the football connection.

Now we have two at odds – the Toodyay version is upset over a culvert on freehold land.

Geoff Brown
Jurien Bay

Council elections

THE OCTOBER council elections are the first for some time to be conducted under the preferential voting system.

So, what should you do?

There are likely to be five or six candidates seeking election in Toodyay so you can number any number of boxes from one to five or six to select candidates in your order of preference.

It is your choice.

The first thing to remember is that you must number the candidates.

If you just put a tick or cross in, say, three boxes, your vote will be invalid and rejected.

Peter Ruthven
West Toodyay

Know what you are voting for

MANY in the land-owner community had their Voice heard recently on ‘things that matter to them’.

The WA Government last month pulled the short-lived 2021 Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act from State law.

I am aware that many Aboriginal people, including the local Noongar Kaartdijin Aboriginal Corporation, are OK with this because the 2021 Act may have unfortunately placed well-meaning Aboriginal groups seeking to simply identify their heritage in conflict with some land owners.

Nobody wants this.

So now the older 1972 Aboriginal Heritage Act remains in place with a few positive amendments under Section 18.

The State Government will also fund heritage surveys in high priority areas – a good outcome.

Let’s now support Aboriginal people having a Voice on ‘things that matter to them’.

The referendum question is simply seeking to ‘enshrine a Voice’ through recognition of Aboriginal people in our Constitution.

That’s it.

It won’t take anything from non-Aboriginal people.

It can’t make laws, it can’t impose taxes, it can’t demand reparations and it can’t claim anybody else’s privately owned land.

It’s a Voice that can make representations to the Federal Parliament on matters impacting on Aboriginal people and communities.

By listening to those most impacted, change will begin.

If you are concerned about detail, know that Australia is not voting on a fixed structure of an advisory body.

The Government of the day, whether it be Labor, Liberal or some other parliamentary majority, will determine the ‘Body’ and how it will work.

The detail of how it works can be changed by Government.

One Government could make a weak structured advisory Body, and another could make it stronger.

But having an advisory ‘Body’ of some sort will be enshrined in our Constitution and, as such – unlike with lobby groups – it will be transparent.

If you are concerned about division, Australia is already divided by race – Aboriginal people remain the other race.

The No campaign has added to the division.

The Voice will be an inclusive process whereby Aboriginal people will be acknowledged in our Constitution for the first time.

A Voice to Parliament will be a big step towards true reconciliation, not division.

If you are concerned about wasted funding, then vote Yes to help change how money is spent, and for better policies and decisions.

It will be Aboriginal voices at the consultation table instead of non-Aboriginal people and organisations making policies without hearing them.

Voting No is just voting for more of the same failed outcomes of the past 50 years, and surely nobody wants that.

Yes means a positive change for our nation’s future, No means more of the same things that don’t work.

I am voting Yes but whatever your vote, please make it an informed one.

Helen Shanks
Toodyay

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