The Conservation Council of WA has welcomed a decision by Western Australia’s environment watchdog to reject a limestone and sand quarry proposal 4.5km north of Preston Beach in the Shire of Waroona.

The WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) recommended against the proposal primarily due to "significant residual impacts" on the surrounding environmental and social landscape.

CCWA Executive Director Matt Roberts said it was promising to see the EPA stand firm on its decision, following modifications of the proposal after earlier versions were withdrawn or paused in 2015-2016 due to similar environmental and hydrological concerns.

“This is a great win for nature and the local community, saving 14.5 hectares of native bushland bordered on three sides by Yalgorup National Park, an internationally significant Class A conservation reserve and ‘wilderness experience’ tourist destination,” Mr Roberts said.

“In its report, the EPA said the proposal posed unacceptable risks to the park’s ecological integrity and biodiversity. It said further impacts of noise and dust by mining operations at the site, along with trucks using the Preston Beach Road North, would also be unacceptable.

“The conservation movement has been working tirelessly to elevate our concerns for nature, so they can be adequately accounted for in the planning of future projects in WA. Let’s hope we see more of this in the future.”

ENDS

Media contact: John Cooke – 0433 679 780