Southern Cross Gold – Community Reference Group Communique

Clonbinane and District Update – May 2025

The Southern Cross Gold (SXG) Community Reference Group (CRG) hasnow completed its first full year of operation. The CRG brings together local residents and SXG representatives tofoster constructive and transparent dialogue around exploration activities atClonbinane.

CRG Purpose and Participation

The CRG serves as an advisory body, not a decision-making one. Itprovides a space for community voices to be heard, questions to be raised, andupdates to be shared.

Meetings are held quarterly and follow the Chatham House Rule toencourage open discussion.

Current members represent Clonbinane, Broadford, and Wandong withinterests across environment, heritage, safety, and wellbeing.

A number of positions remain open – interested community membersare encouraged to apply.

Key Topics Discussed

Exploration Tunnel and Future Planning

• SXG shared plans for an exploration     tunnel, which will allow underground drilling and reduce surface noise     and disruption. The tunnel will operate 24/7 and is expected to take 6–9     months to complete if approved.
• Stockpiles of material     will be managed to minimise environmental and visual impact.  Revegetation activities will be     undertaken.  A dam will store     runoff.  
• The tunnel may     ultimately be part of a mine if the project progresses. If not, it will be     rehabilitated. The Victorian Government will determine financial bonds to     ensure rehabilitation is completed.
• SXG is using electric     drill rigs and Komatsu technology to minimise pollution and blasting     impacts.
• Traffic impacts will be reduced by     bussing staff to and from the site.

Environmental Monitoring

• Noise and water     monitoring continue     across the site.
• Ecological surveys have identified     sensitive Yellow Box Grassy Woodland areas, which will be avoided.  A range of methods are being used to     monitor and track fauna, including DNA testing.
• A major blackberry     removal project begun with $56,000 allocated for 2025.
• Sunday Creek’s health     remains a key concern. A biodiversity session with Landcare expert     Chris Pollock is planned for the June 2025 CRG meeting.

Cultural Heritage

• SXG is collaborating     with a historian to catalogue historic sites and has engaged the Taungurung     Land and Waters Council for a heritage mapping project. A site of     cultural significance has been confirmed and will be protected.

Land Use and Planning

• Clonbinane Park is now owned by SXG.     Conservation efforts and potential carbon offset initiatives are underway.     Community members have requested transparency on future land use.

Traffic and Road Safety

• A traffic management     plan is in development. SXG vehicles are GPS-tracked and traffic     volumes are being managed.
• A community statement     on road use and future planning is being developed to address     concerns, particularly on Clonbinane Road.

Antimony and Public Education

• Community concerns     around antimony have been discussed. A CRG discussion session is     planned to enable greater exploration of the issue and address community     questions.

Community Engagement

• SXG has expanded     communications with:
   
  • Regular letterbox      newsletters
   
  • A new email      newsletter list
   
  • Community pop-ups and one-on-one      engagement
   
  • A community grants      program supporting groups like the CFA, SEED Project, and Love in      Action
 
• Photos of CRG members     and a dedicated email address (CRG@southerncrossgold.com.au) have been added to     SXG’s website to increase transparency and enable the broader community to     engage with the CRG.

Stay Connected

Residents are encouraged to:

• Reach out to the CRG     with questions or concerns via CRG@southerncrossgold.com.au
• Visit the SXG website     for newsletters and meeting summaries
• Sign up for email     updates and participate in upcoming drop-in sessions

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