Victoria’s mining regulator, Earth Resources Regulation has released new engagement guidelines for communities to have their say on the development of local minerals.
Executive Director of Earth Resources Regulation, Anthony Hurst said the changes made to the minerals licensing process were in response to COVID-19 pandemic disruptions.
“An essential part of the minerals licensing process involves applicants notifying local communities so they can make comments or objections to inform licence decisions,” Mr Hurst said.
“This has been mostly done by placing advertisements in local newspapers,” he said.
“Recently, some rural newspapers have been disrupted as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, impacting the flow of information through many communities.”
Mr Hurst said that to ensure everyone could stay informed, minerals licence applications would now be shown on the Earth Resources website as well as on the applicant’s website.
“Providing a centralised point to advertise licence applications aligns with the increasing use of the Internet by communities across Victoria to access information, alongside direct engagement with local people,” he said.
“If the option exists, licence applicants are also required to continue advertising in local newspapers.”
Mr Hurst said that where local newspaper advertising was not available, it had also adapted its processes so that licence applicants could write directly to landowners or advertise via roadside signs.
