Drilling at a Mount Rommel Mining Limited owned site began nearly two weeks ago and locals are concerned about the environmental impacts of the work.

At October’s Hepburn Shire Council meeting the group presented a petition to councillors – asking Hepburn Shire to request an Environmental Effects Statement (EES).

Mayor Neil Newitt said under the Mineral Resources Act, council did not have the power to request Mount Rommel produce an EES.

In a statement provided to The Courier Mount Rommel Mining chairman Fred Hunt referred interested residents to a website.

“(It) is progressing as it should, under the terms of grant by a state authority, at approved locations, in a timely manner. The Shire of Hepburn have no legitimate powers to interfere with the terms of licence issued by the relevant state authority.”

Mr Hunt said this was explained to Cr Newitt by the state mining warden.

“With regard to an application to remove weeds (not actually to drill) recently rejected by the Shire of Hepburn, the opportunist behaviour of councillors on the matter leaves them without merit.”

CMAG member Peter Rice said he believed “it was abundantly clear Mount Rommel's objective was far greater than just to remove weeds". Mr Hunt denied the works were exploratory.

CMAG members maintained their concern about works on the site and its close proximity to the Creswick Creek.

“Mount Rommel's objective to resume mining in Clunes has not been stopped (following council’s decision to bar exploratory drilling on its land),” Mr Rice said.

Council approved the recommendation to ask the minister for Energy and Resources to request that an EES be submitted, if Mount Rommel Mining submits a work plan for exploration.

Cr Newitt acknowledged the community’s concern and said council was doing all it could to reflect that. The group will hold a community picnic on December 6 at the Creek Walk from 12pm.