30 school children from Allanson Primary planted more than 500 seedlings at the Black Diamond pit lake
| Date: | Tuesday, 13 June 2017 |
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The Department of Mines and Petroleum’s (DMP) Abandoned Mines Program has marked the successful completion of the Black Diamond rehabilitation works with students from Allanson Primary School and Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray taking part in a day of seedling planting at the western end of the lake on Friday 9 June 2017.
The planting is part of ongoing revegetation works that will improve the visual amenity of the area, promote community connection with the site, reduce levels of erosion and conserve the biodiversity of the area. They follow the major earthworks that took place at Black Diamond in October 2016 to batter down the steep southern pit wall to a safer angle and manage erosion on the western end.
DMP’s Abandoned Mines Program Manager, Sarah Bellamy, said having Allanson Primary School children involved in the project demonstrates the support from the community to see Black Diamond as an asset the whole community can enjoy.
“All the completed works to date at Black Diamond have been shaped by community consultation so it’s very fitting that Allanson Primary School has helped with the planting ,” Ms Bellamy said.
“Anti-social behaviour was identified by the community as a problem at the pit lake and we’re really hoping that by having the local school children involved, it will create a sense of community ownership of this unique and beautiful area.
Ms Bellamy expressed gratitude to all stakeholders from the community and industry that have provided technical advice and support for this important and exciting project.
The works have provided a positive impact on the local community by making the site safe and accessible. The revegetation works will be completed by 30 June 2017 and monitoring of the site will continue following the on ground rehabilitation works.
“We are asking visitors to Black Diamond to please avoid walking over the revegetated areas while the vegetation is being established. Signage has been erected to encourage visitors to Black Diamond to stick to the established tracks,” Ms Bellamy said.
Black Diamond is the first of four pilot sites to be rehabilitated as part of the Department of Mines and Petroleum’s (DMP) Abandoned Mines Program, using funds from the Mining Rehabilitation Fund (MRF). The MRF is a pooled fund contributed to annually by Western Australian mining operators.
For more information contact the Abandoned Mines Team on 9222 3162, email abandonedmines@dmp.wa.gov.au or visit our Black Diamond Pit Lake page.
