Port Stephens Council's 'confidential' vote on Sand Mine

BY GRACE LANCASTER

Williamtown residents are up in arms after Port Stephens Council voted in secret to extend the sunset clause for their proposed sand mine, ensuring its future for at least another year.

The meeting labelled 'confidential' on listing papers has left residents outraged, with the planned mine home to a number of threatened species and flora and arriving in light of PFAS contamination investigation.

Rhianna Gorfine from the Williamtown and surrounds residents action group believes the Council is not considering the effects on residents.

"We actually presented to Council on Tuesday night and asked the Councillors if this lease and this potential project was put forward to them now with everything they know of the area and everything the residents are going through would they still proceed...and it looks like they're happy to do that."

Residents now await a final verdict on the approval of the mine to be delivered by the Land and Environment Court after residents launched a merit appeal against the Independent Planning Commission in May.

"If this proposal goes ahead, we can't get out of here," said Mrs Gorfine.

"Our properties aren't worth anything and people don't want to invest in the area so we're stuck with a large scale sand mine."

Image: ABC