www.carm.net.au - Community Concerns About EL008505

www.carm.net.au

Community Concerns About EL008505 | CARM’s Meeting with the Premier

In March 2026, CARM met with Premier Jacinta Allan to outline serious community concerns about Exploration Licence EL008505, held by Falcon Metals. Residents across Strathfieldsaye, Junortoun, Emu Creek, Longlea, Sutton Grange and Mandurang are seeking clarity, transparency and stronger protections for their homes, environment and wellbeing.

Below is a summary of the key issues raised.

1. Too Close to Homes and Growing Communities

The EL008505 boundary sits near established neighbourhoods, new housing developments and the Strathfieldsaye town centre. Residents are concerned about long‑term impacts on:

Community safety
Residential amenity
Property values
Future planning and growth

Mining exploration is incompatible with residential and semi‑rural living.

2. Threats to High‑Value Conservation Areas

The licence area includes environmentally significant locations such as:

Swift Parrot feeding habitat
Local nature reserves
Sensitive ecological areas at risk from disturbance

These landscapes support threatened species and high‑value bushland that require long‑term protection.

3. Lack of Transparency and Conflicting Information

Residents have raised concerns about:

Limited and inconsistent communication from Falcon Metals
Heavy reliance on company self‑reporting
Conflicting statements between Falcon and the Regulator about drilling, tunnelling and activities under private property
A “low impact” classification that does not match the draft work plan, which includes tunnelling and explosives

The community is seeking clear, consistent and publicly accessible information.

4. Drilling and Tunnelling Concerns

Residents want clarity on what activities are permitted under EL008505, including:

Whether Falcon can drill vertically from roadsides
Whether horizontal drilling under private property is allowed
Whether tunnelling and explosives have been approved
Why tunnelling approval has not been publicly disclosed

These questions remain unanswered and are causing significant community anxiety.

5. Compliance, Oversight and Environmental Protection

Key issues raised include:

Risks associated with self‑regulation, referencing long‑term groundwater exceedances at other sites
No clear process for Crown Land Managers to refuse disturbance of endangered habitat
No rehabilitation bond listed for EL008505, and concerns that existing Falcon Metals bonds are inadequate

Residents want assurance that environmental protection and community safety are prioritised.

What CARM Is Asking For

CARM is calling for:

Clear, consistent information from the Regulator
Protection for residential areas and endangered habitat
Transparent communication from Falcon Metals
Stronger oversight and enforceable safeguards
Answers from the Premier regarding cancellation, excisions and review of exploration boundaries

Our community deserves clarity, accountability and meaningful protection.

Our Petition

Our petition was presented to Parliament on Wednesday the 12th of November.
Oppose Mining Exploration Licence EL008505 in Strathfieldsaye, Axedale, Emu Creek, and Longlea

Who is impacted?
The semi-rural communities of Strathfieldsaye, Axedale, Emu Creek, and Longlea, as well as the wider Bendigo region, are at risk from mining exploration licence EL008505, proposed by Falcon Gold Resources Pty Ltd. This licence covers 94 square kilometers, including parts of the Wellsford Forest, Emu Creek, and surrounding residential and conservation areas. If approved, mining exploration will bring heavy machinery, noise, and environmental disturbances, disrupting the quiet rural lifestyle and affecting local wildlife. The Wellsford Forest, home to threatened species, and Emu Creek, a vital waterway, are particularly vulnerable.

What is at stake?
Approval of licence EL008505 could cause long-term harm to the Wellsford Forest and its surrounding areas. Habitat loss and water pollution in Emu Creek would threaten wildlife and biodiversity. Noise, traffic, and dust from exploration activities would disturb residents and reduce the area’s appeal as a peaceful, family-friendly community. The semi-rural character of Strathfieldsaye, a growing area in Bendigo, could be permanently altered, affecting property values and quality of life.

Why act now?
The EL008505 licence is currently under consideration. Taking action now can prevent exploration activities before they begin. Protecting the Wellsford Forest and surrounding areas is essential to preserving biodiversity and maintaining the well-being of the local community. The social, environmental, and economic impacts of mining exploration cannot be ignored. Acting now ensures the area remains a safe and thriving place for residents and future generations.

Our request to the Victorian Government
We call on the Legislative Assembly of Victoria to:

Reject mining exploration licence EL008505.
Protect the Wellsford Forest, Emu Creek, and nearby conservation areas from mining activity.
Recognize the importance of preserving the area’s natural and community values for current and future generations.
By signing this petition, we express our commitment to protecting the environment and ensuring the continued well-being of our community to safeguard our forests, waterways, and neighbourhoods from mining exploration.

MINE-FIELD Fundraiser at Star Cinema

In July 2025 we hosted a successful fundraiser at Bendigo's Star Cinema. We had a great turnout and a fantastic raffle, thanks to some generous community donations.

MINE-FIELD

Filmed over 3-years this controversial documentary exposes the devastating impact of mining on four Victorian rural communities.

Mine-Field exposes the strategies and methods used by mining companies to divide rural communities and get control of their land. It shows how mines are never rehabilitated and little of the wealth extracted goes to the community. It exposes corruption and incompetence within the state’s mining department regulator and shows how regulations and laws are being ignored for benefit of the miners. While showing how Victoria’s weak mining regulations and environmental laws are the direct result of the powerful mining industry lobby.

Mine-Field was produced by Barking Media and directed by Peter Vaughan with assistance from the Environmental Media Foundation inc and rural communities across Victoria.

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