AVONBANK MINERAL SANDS PROJECT
ENVIRONMENT EFFECTS STATEMENT
The Project is situated in the Wimmera Southern Mallee (WSM) region of Victoria and will involve mining the Avonbank ore body to produce a premium quality mineral sands product mainly comprising zircon, titanium-rich mineral concentrate and minor amounts of rare earth products.
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The mineral sands product will be transported to the Port of Portland for overseas export, supporting the increasing global demand for critical minerals. The Project aims to generate and maintain significant long-term employment and economic activity in Victoria and the WSM region.
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The Avonbank Mineral Sands Project Environment Effects Statement (EES) and draft Planning Scheme Amendment (PSA) are available to view or download from this page. Public exhibition of the EES and planning draft PSA is from Friday 14 April 2023 to Friday 26 May 2023.​
The Avonbank mine is located 15km north-east of Horsham.
A successful barley crop was harvested from the rehabilitation area in 2021.
THE ENVIRONMENT EFFECTS STATEMENT
Navigating the EES PDF
Summary Brochure PDF
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EES Chapters
Chapter 1 – Introduction PDF | Word
Chapter 2 – Project Description PDF | Word
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Chapter 3 – Project Alternatives PDF | Word
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Chapter 4 – Regulatory Framework PDF | Word
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Chapter 5 – Community Engagement PDF | Word
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Chapter 6 – Impact Assessment Framework PDF | Word
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Chapter 7 – Regional Setting PDF | Word
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Chapter 8 – Land Use and Planning PDF | Word
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Chapter 9 – Traffic and Transport PDF | Word
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Chapter 10 – Historic Heritage PDF | Word
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Chapter 11 – Landscape and Visual Amenity PDF | Word
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Chapter 12 – Noise and Vibration PDF | Word
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Chapter 13 – Air Quality PDF | Word
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Chapter 14 – Radiation PDF | Word
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Chapter 15 – Soils and Landform PDF | Word
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Chapter 16 – Surface Water PDF | Word
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Chapter 17 – Groundwater PDF | Word
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Chapter 18 – Human Health PDF | Word
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Chapter 19 – Wastes and Emissions PDF | Word
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Chapter 20 – Socioeconomics PDF | Word
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Chapter 21 – Flora and Fauna PDF | Word
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Chapter 22 – Land Rehabilitation PDF | Word
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Chapter 23 – Aboriginal Cultural Heritage PDF | Word
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Chapter 24 – Environmental Management PDF | Word
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Chapter 25 – Matters of National Environmental Significance PDF | Word
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Chapter 26 – Summary and Conclusions PDF | Word
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Chapter 27 – Glossary, Abbreviations and Acronyms PDF | Word
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Technical Reports
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Appendix A: Scoping Requirements PDF
Appendix B: Land Use and Planning Impact Assessment PDF
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Appendix C: Road Traffic and Transport Impact Assessment PDF
Appendix D: Historic Heritage Impact Assessment PDF
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Appendix E: Cultural Heritage Management Plan Summary PDF
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Appendix F: Landscape and Visual Amenity Impact Assessment PDF
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Appendix G: Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment PDF
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Appendix H: Air Quality Impact Assessment PDF
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Appendix I: Radiation Risk Assessment PDF
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Appendix J: Soils and Landform Impact Assessment PDF
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Appendix K: Surface Water Impact Assessment PDF
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Appendix L: Groundwater Impact Assessment PDF
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Appendix M: Human Health Risk Assessment PDF
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Appendix N: Economics Impact Assessment PDF
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Appendix O: Social Impact Assessment PDF
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Appendix P: Flora and Fauna Impact Assessment PDF
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Appendix Q: Waste and Emissions Impact Assessment PDF
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Attachments
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Attachment 1: Stakeholder Engagement Report PDF
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Attachment 2: Draft Planning Scheme Amendment PDF
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Attachment 3: Rehabilitation Plan PDF
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Attachment 4: Work Plan Framework PDF
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Attachment 5: Aspects and Risks PDF
MAKING A SUBMISSION
Public Exhibition
Public exhibition of the EES and draft PSA is from Friday 14 April 2023 to Friday 26 May 2023. Submissions can be made in writing and be received by 11:59 pm on Friday 26 May 2023.
Online submissions are preferred and can be made through the Victorian Government’s engagement website https://engage.vic.gov.au/Avonbank-IAC
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Submitters unable to lodge online can contact Planning Panels Victoria (PPV) through the Customer Call Centre on 136 186 (select option 6) and request a hard copy submission cover sheet. Each hard copy submission must include a cover sheet issued by PPV.
All submissions must state the name and address of the person making the submission. Submissions will be treated as public documents and will be published on the Engage Victoria website.
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Planning Panels Victoria (PPV) independently manages the submission process, and any inquiries regarding the management of submissions and the Inquiry and Hearing process should be directed to them.
The Inquiry and Advisory Committee Process
The Minister for Planning will appoint a joint Inquiry and Advisory Committee (IAC) under the Environment Effects Act 1978 and the Planning and Environment Act 1987 to inquire into and report on the environmental effects of the Project and provide advice on the draft PSA.
The IAC will review the public submissions, EES and draft PSA and will consider the environmental effects of the Project in accordance with the terms of reference issued by the Minister for Planning
The public hearing process will commence in the week beginning Monday 31 July 2023 and will run for approximately four (4) weeks, as required.
Members of the public and any other parties seeking to be heard at the public hearing are required to submit a written submission and indicate on the online submission form or hard copy submission cover sheet that they would like to be heard.
QUESTIONS
​If you have any questions regarding the Avonbank Mineral Sands Project EES, the EES Process or how to make a submission, please contact:
Avonbank Mineral Sands Project
WIM Resource
83 Firebrace Street, Horsham VIC 3400
Phone: 1800 580 787
Email: avonbankees@wimresource.com.au
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The EES Process
Department Transport and Planning
Impact Assessment Unit
Phone: (03) 8622 7633
Email: environment.assessment@delwp.vic.gov.au
Making a submission or the Inquiry process
Planning Panels Victoria
Phone: 136 186 (select option 6)
Email: planning.panels@delwp.vic.gov.au