A mining lease – M70/1385 has been lodged over a part of the Gingilup-Jasper Wetland System.
The mining lease is only 300 metres from the shore of Lake Jasper within the D’Entrecasteaux National Estate.
Lake Jasper is one of Western Australia’s few large freshwater lakes that is relatively undamaged by human activity, a breeding ground to 25 species of waterbird, a major nursery area for freshwater fishes and frogs under threat of extinction, and harbouring a unique array of plant species.
It is sacred country, and has a rich archaeological record, with ten sites found upon the lake bed and margins, showing such camps prior to the formation of the lake some 4000 years ago. These sites were extremely significant to the understanding of the Region’s prehistoric Aboriginal settlement patterns.
The cultural significance and archaeological richness of the lake requires its conservation.
There are obvious implications for mining to the flora and fauna of this conservation area from the invasive dieback fungus spreading due to any mining activities.
The Shannon and D’Entrecasteaux National Parks Management Plan 2012 notes that areas of high scenic quality such as Lake Jasper are of greatest concern in terms of visual landscape management and are the most sensitive to alteration.
The D’Entrecasteaux Coalition has been re-activated to fight the proposal – bringing together Environment Centres/Groups in Albany, Denmark, Walpole, Pemberton, Bridgetown and Bunbury along with concerned individuals throughout the South West.
The objects of the campaign:
- To ensure that Lake Jasper returns to the D’Entrecasteaux National Park that is had been excised from.
- To demand that precious places like this are protected from such ventures.
- To require that the general public is clearly made aware of the submission period related to all future contentious lease applications, and are included in all regulatory stages.
To find out more visit the campaign website: http://savelakejasper.org.au/