MINE GAMES
TRAILBLAZERS: Cyclists could be key to Anglesea coal mine rebirth
THE Alcoa coal mine could be transformed into a mountain bike mecca, with the mining and industrial giant releasing its official rehabilitation plan yesterday for the Anglesea site.
THE Alcoa coal mine site at Anglesea could be transformed into a mountain bike mecca, with the mining and industrial giant releasing its official rehabilitation plan yesterday.
Mountain bike trails, thermal pools, a solar array and even an underwater theme park are just some of the potential alternative uses for the land at the coal mine, which was shut down in 2015.
Alcoa’s Anglesea Mine Rehabilitation and Closure Plan outlined how the mining and industrial giant intends to prepare the 800ha lease area for reclamation, including extensive earthworks, removing Coalmine Rd and redirecting Salt Creek to connect the body of water to Anglesea River.
More than 6510ha of Anglesea Heath land surrounding the Alcoa lease area was transferred to the Great Otway National Park as part of a Bill introduced to State Parliament by Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio on June 6.
The move comes as the State Government’s Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) commenced the formal land use community consultation process with an open house drop-in session in Anglesea yesterday.
Surf Coast Trail Group secretary Brett Coleman, who is part of a push from local trail bike enthusiasts to have part of the land set aside for mountain bike trails, said the mine closure provided “a one-off, unique opportunity”.
“Everything is up for grabs. Obviously anything that gets put there needs to have an economic viability to it,” he said.
“We believe the area lends itself to a range of uses, but we’d like to see between 20 to 40km of mountain bike-specific trail incorporated into the area that offers experiences for all skill levels.”
Mr Coleman said the group was working closely with Parks Victoria, DELWP and the Surf Coast Shire.
“We see trails as a really ideal path forward,” he said.
“If well-constructed, it would have minimal environmental impact and would be easily maintained by groups such as ours, working in conjunction with the land managers.”
A DELWP spokesman said the consultation process would be open until June 30.
“We are very pleased with strong interest shown by the community,” the spokesman said yesterday.
“More than 80 people have attended the Anglesea Futures open house today and a wide variety of ideas have been put forward, including recreational activities, social housing and renewable energy ideas.”
Another major consideration is how to maintain the quality and water levels of the Anglesea River, which was previously being pumped with more than 4.5 megalitres of water each day from Alcoa and has since been maintained through short-term intervention works.
Further Alcoa information sessions will be held this Wednesday and Monday, June 19, from 4-7pm at Anglesea Senior Citizens Club.
DELWP Anglesea Futures session will be held on Sunday, June 25, from 10am to 3pm at the Anglesea Memorial Hall.
To find out more, got to forest sand reserves. vic. gov. au/ initiatives/ Angle sea-future