Anger over Environment Effects Statement time frame

Community members wishing to respond to the Environment Effects Statement released last week will have 40 business days to do so, however, Mine-Free Glenaladale said coronavirus restrictions, connectivity and the ongoing rebuild after this summer's bushfires mean the timeframe was unrealistic.

The proposed mine site at The Fingerboards, north-west of Bairnsdale, has been a controversial issue among the farmers and the broader community for several years due to the potential effects the mine could have on the health and well-being of people in the region, and on local agriculture.

Kalbar Resources proposes to extract 170 million tonnes of ore to produce heavy mineral concentrate over 20 years from 1100 hectares of land adjoining the Mitchell River.

Mine-Free Glenaladale spokeswoman Debbie Carruthers said the expectation the community could respond to the 14-volume report in 40 days was "ludicrous" and "unfair".

"It's really gut-wrenching because we expected the government would have responded to the several emails and letters we sent to request a delay in the EES process," Ms Carruthers said.

"The reality is that people have a whole range of enormous pressures, from COVID to people being out of work or working from home and homeschooling and trying to tend to other matters on their farm.

"It's means you'd have to read 250 pages a day for each day for the 40 business days allowed and that doesn't take any time in account to prepare a submission."

An email sent to Mine-Free Glenaladale by a state government bureaucrat in May said ministerial guidelines specified 20 to 30 business days were standard for public exhibition of an ESS, and this was only the second project in Victoria's history to be extended by 10 days along with the North East Link freeway.

Benworden breeder Allen Sheridan has several concerns about the proposal but said the timeframe, along with COVID-19 restrictions, meant it was "almost impossible" to detail them in time.

"Due to the virus, we can't meet to discuss the response to the EES and in the past we've had well over 200 people attend public meetings but now we can't do that," Mr Sheridan said.

"I'm 86 and not very good with computers so for the government to expect people like me to respond to a proposal like this without getting help from others in the community is crazy."

In a statement, Kalbar chief executive Jozsef Patarica said the project would being "many benefits" to East Gippsland and the EES "demonstrates that the project can be delivered with appropriate management of environmental impacts."

"We have met the requirements for the EES studies and have asked for, and received, a great deal of community feedback over the past three years," Mr Patarica said.

Planning Minister Richard Wynne said public consultation had been extended to 40 business days to help the community respond.

He said the government would provide $40,000 in grants to support community involvement in the process.

"Exhibition of this EES is an important step and we encourage community groups and residents to request their own copies of the EES and make their views known,' he said.

Have you signed up to Stock & Land's daily newsletter? Register below to make sure you are up to date with everything that's important to Victorian agriculture.