Gemfields residents invited to community open day on the Gemfields Planning Study
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Posted on October 28, 2022
Central Highlands Regional Council intends to leave no gemstone unturned with the commencement of the broader community conversation around the upcoming Gemfields Planning Study.
Residents from all corners of the Gemfields are invited to drop into the Sapphire Hall, anytime between 10.00 am to 4.00 pm on Sunday 6 November to learn more about this historic project.
The purpose of the community open day is to gain broader ideas and thoughts from the community around some of the challenges and opportunities that can shape the scope of the study, and ensure a prosperous future for all the communities and surrounds.
‘We are excited to be able to commence this important, ongoing conversation with the community and look deeper into the needs of communities before the study officially starts,’ said Mayor Kerry Hayes.
Kim Thompson, a local member of the Community and Stakeholder Project Reference Group (PRG) has been working with council since July to help develop an early understanding of the Gemfields and provide advice for how council can best reach and engage meaningfully with the community.
‘Understanding the Gemfields first is critical to how this study will be shaped and what it should be looking at as a big picture plan.
‘Whilst any changes to small-scale mining claims are critical it is also only covering overall, it’s a big picture project and we, as a community, really need to make sure that our voices and needs are shared so all opportunities can be on the table for us,’ she said.
The PRG and council are rallying residents near and far to encourage everyone across the Gemfields to join the conversations occurring across the day on Sunday 6 November.
‘As a local, this is the first time we have had this type of opportunity to connect around what the bigger picture is for the Gemfields, and to provide some influence for preservation and positive changes for our communities.
‘There has been a lot of speculation and misinformation swirling about community regarding this project, but mining tenure is one piece of the overall puzzle, and there is much more that this Gemfields Planning Study will be looking as,’ Ms. Thompson said.
Residents of all communities across the Gemfields are encouraged to pop in between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm Sunday 6 November, and talk directly with council planners, the PRG, and the project team. Refreshments will be provided and all are welcome.
The Gemfields Planning Study is a joint project between the Central Highlands Regional Council and the Department of Resources.
View the Facebook event here.