Dear MRAG supporters,

It’s been a huge year, but before the sun sets on 2023 we have one final, very quick favour to ask of you. 

As you may know, the Federal Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek, has the power to reject the Bowdens Silver project thanks to powers granted under the Commonwealth Environmental Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. 

The Bowdens application is currently sitting on her desk, but we believe it’s incomplete and missing any assessment of the potential impacts of the construction of a key piece of the mine’s infrastructure – namely, the powerline Bowdens will need to run the mine site.

Can you please spare two minutes to send the below email to Minister Plibersek, asking her to stop her assessment of the project until she receives a complete application from Bowdens?

All you need to do is:

·       Copy the text below

·       Email it to minister.plibersek@dcceew.gov.au

·       Cross your fingers!

Thank you, and thank you for your ongoing support as we try our best to stop this project in its tracks.

Mudgee Region Action Group

Text for email to Minister Plibersek

Dear Minister Plibersek,

RE: Bowdens Silver Project, EPBC Referral 2018 – 8372

The Significant Impact Guidelines regarding Matters of National Environmental Significance of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) make clear that any proposed action should be considered at its broadest possible scope. This includes all related infrastructure such as powerlines.

In this case, the Proponent (Bowdens Silver) has failed to refer the whole of the proposed action to your Department, and I request that assessment of the proposal cease until there has been compliance with Commonwealth requirements for proper and complete referral. 

As you would be aware, this Project depends entirely on high voltage electricity being available to power the mine. The clearing of vegetation for, and construction of, the electricity line is a likely impact of the project. 

The Proponent has identified a proposed route and supplier (Endeavour Energy) for an electricity transmission line from Breakfast Creek to the mine site, a distance of roughly 11 kilometres. 

This is an essential element of the mine, but neither Bowdens Silver, nor the NSW Department of Planning and Environment or the NSW Independent Planning Commission have conducted any assessment of the impact of this powerline. 

Importantly, the proposed route of the powerline and indeed the location of the Bowdens site generally sits in core Koala habitat and an area of significant biodiversity. 

Since the beginning of October this year, 29 koalas have been sighted in the Mudgee region that we know of, and 9 of those have been within 5 kilometres of the Bowdens site. 

It’s not appropriate for the Commonwealth assessment of this referral to continue until the Minister is satisfied the impacts of this project and all its components have been adequately assessed.