Thursday, 4 December 2025

 Sarah MANSFIELD (Western Victoria) (12:45): (2060) My question is for the Minister for Energy and Resources. The Environment Protection Authority Victoria has confirmed it is investigating Victory Minerals’ Ballarat Gold Mine after a tailings dam leaked into the Yarrowee River on 31 October. The new tailings dam was green-lit by VCAT in 2024 despite local protests, submissions and public statements during the approval process repeatedly highlighting risks of leakage, inadequate safeguards and the close proximity of the dam to the Yarrowee catchment. Victory Minerals has a record of previous compliance breaches, including a fine issued by Resources Victoria for excessive blasting vibration in July 2024. A pattern of incidents suggests ongoing deficiencies in risk management, maintenance practices and transparency. Minister, will you establish an independent review of the Ballarat Gold Mine tailings facility, including its compliance history and the environmental impact of its operations?