Lake Pleasant View/Ballogup “saved” from mineral exploration licence after applicant surrenders land

After an almost two-year-long battle, advocates are rejoicing as a biodiverse parcel of land in Manypeaks has been declared safe from mineral exploration. An area spanning approximately 900 hectares that encapsulates Lake Pleasant View/Ballogup is now removed from a mining tenement application put forth by Mac Sand Ptd Ltd in 2022 after 18 people objected to it. Indigenous people and environmental advocates formally objected to the inclusion of the wetlands area on the grounds of its Aboriginal heritage connection and its high biodiversity values. Menang-Noongar man Larry Blight, who operates tours to the Ballogup area, said his people have a strong connection to the area and saving it for future generations is “priceless”. “The Ballogup/Lake Pleasant View wetlands area has been inhabited by our people for well over 30,000 years,” he said “The surrounding landscape has been used for hunting kangaroo and collecting medicine plants, including Boronia (Koorum) around the wetland areas. “We have ancient campsites littered around the lake and stone artefact sites that link our people to this area. “Today we use this site as an educational classroom for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples to come together.“ Known as E 70/6312, the application was put forward by Aurora Tenement Consulting on behalf of Mac Sand Pty Ltd and originally covered a 2400ha area. The Department of Mining, Industry, Regulation and Safety formally surrendered the land from the tenement on June 21. Fellow objector Diane Evers said the group is not against mineral exploration but wanted to protect a biodiverse land important to local residents. “This is a win for the community,” Ms Evers said. “The Mining Act is not easy to navigate, but the formal objection process does allow some opportunity to have a voice. “Earlier this year, over thirty objectors plus strong public interest in the Torbay community, succeeded in protecting part of the Torbay catchment, when mineral exploration applications by Mac Sand were withdrawn.” This is the second win for Albany residents fighting mineral exploration this year after Torbay Catchment Group won their battle to protect areas of Torbay, Marbellup and Elleker from Mac Sand Pty Ltd in April.