Public opposition has prevented the expansion of coal mining in south-west Victoria.
“More than 250 residents gathered in the Deans Marsh town hall last night to question the managing director of Mantle Mining, Ian Kraemer, over the plan to explore for brown coal, south-east of Colac,” the ABC said on July 28.
“The company had wanted to explore a 500 square kilometre area in the region. However, residents feared mining would damage the environment and lower property values.”
Mantle Mining representatives agreed to submit its exploration plan to a vote by the meeting. The vote against mining exploration was unanimous. Formal objections will still be lodged by residents in case the application is not withdrawn.