Ministerial Statement

Terramin's Bird in Hand Gold Project

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Energy and Mining) (14:07): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Terramin's concept for the proposed Bird in Hand goldmine and related applications for a mining lease and miscellaneous purpose licence have undergone a comprehensive assessment by government, including an eight-week statutory public consultation. This process has involved Terramin undertaking extensive work to respond to questions raised by community and government technical experts.

While the assessment considered technical matters in detail, other relevant considerations included broader state interests, including potential socio-economic and amenity impacts and the level of uncertainty on whether the proposed approaches will be effective to the degree expected by existing industries, the community or tourists. After careful consideration yesterday, I declined Terramin's application. While my department is satisfied that statutory obligations expressed by the Mining Act are met, the Mining Act does not oblige me to grant a mining lease.

Implied considerations enable me to take into account any relevant considerations. Such considerations can be based on the broader state interests, for example, whether the mining development fits within the existing character/amenity of a particular area, existing social values or other matters.

The mine's location is not in keeping with the amenity of the area. Its proposed location is next door to some of Australia's best-loved wineries, such as Bird in Hand, Petaluma and Artwine. While the proposed mine had a short-term life, the potential impact on surrounding businesses and associated regional tourism could have had longer term implications. I am acutely aware of community concerns about the proposal, including from nearby wineries, residents and local communities, including local members of parliament.

The Adelaide Hills have a hard-earned, clean, green reputation, and this must be safeguarded. I was not prepared to risk their national and international reputation as providers of world-class wines, cherries, apples and other agricultural goods. Not only is the produce produced in the Adelaide Hills important to all South Australians but so is the amenity and experience at these wineries. Tourism to the region is a critical contributor to the local economy and, on balance, there remains a possibility that this proposed short-term mine may affect the established and significant long-term agricultural and tourism industries of the Woodside area immediately adjacent to the project areas.

As such, I am not willing to risk these established local industries against the opportunity this short-term mine may provide and have decided it is in the state's interest to decline the mining lease and miscellaneous purposes licence applications by Terramin for its Bird in Hand Gold Project.

Make no mistake, South Australia's mining and quarrying industries form an integral part of a strong, diversified economy, delivering high-value jobs but in a manner that ensures mining activities present balanced technical, social, economic and environmental outcomes. The Adelaide Hills currently has many successful quarry and mining operations that operate effectively, and this decision is specific to the proposed Bird in Hand project only.