Binningup limestone pit: Proposal reaches key milestone as extraction proposal undergoes EPA assessment

A proposed limestone extraction site in Binningup that has been shrouded in controversy has reached a key milestone as it undergoes a final assessment that could either make or break the proposal. Having caused contention during Shire of Harvey council meetings, led to protests in the streets of Binningup and created community Facebook groups, GM Giacci Family Trust’s limestone extraction site proposal is now facing a final assessment from WA’s Environmental Protection Authority. A “last chance” for the Binningup community to express concerns over the extraction site, the EPA’s assessment will be open to public comment for a total of 14 days, with the comments contributing to the proposal’s final recommendation to Environment Minister Reece Whitby. Binnngup residents spokesperson Hovea Wilkes said the community had been “fighting every step of the way” and this final assesment was the last opportunity for those against the pit. “This is not the only site where there is limestone, there is limestone all along the coast, this is just the only site where there is Binningup,” she said. “I hope that common sense will prevail, it is just simply the wrong location,” she said. During community meetings at the height of the proposal’s controversy a total of 10 Binningup residents were in support of the pit, with one resident saying she saw the need for the limestone which would be used for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road project. “We need to look at the bigger picture and be progressive,” she said. It is not yet known when the EPA’s public comment period will begin.