Horsham Rural City Council has formally declined an invitation from WIM Resource to participate in the company's proposed Community and Coexistence Reference Group (CCRG), stating that joining the group would be premature while the proposed Avonbank Mineral Sands Project is still awaiting a mining licence decision.
The invitation was extended by WIM Resource as part of its efforts to establish a community reference group for the proposed Avonbank mineral sands mine near Dooen, approximately eight kilometres north-east of Horsham in western Victoria. According to the company, the CCRG is intended to provide local organisations and residents with an opportunity to help shape future community benefit programs and discuss issues relating to the project.
However, Horsham Mayor Brian Klowss said the council believes it is inappropriate to dedicate public resources to a project that has not yet received regulatory approval. He noted that while a reference group may have value if the mine is eventually approved, council's priority is ensuring that unresolved questions surrounding the proposal are answered before participating in any advisory process.
Mayor Klowss also expressed frustration over delays in the mining licence assessment. The decision was originally expected earlier in 2026 but has been postponed while additional information requested by Resources Victoria continues to be assessed. The mayor questioned why repeated extensions had been required and called for greater transparency regarding the approval process.
The council maintains that several important issues remain unresolved, including dust suppression measures, environmental monitoring, protection of agricultural land, community health impacts and the proposed inclusion of infrastructure associated with the Wimmera Intermodal Freight Terminal. According to Mayor Klowss, council has not yet received sufficient assurances from WIM Resource that these concerns will be adequately addressed.
In response, WIM Resource said the Community and Coexistence Reference Group is separate from the statutory mining licence process and does not assume the project will receive approval. The company said the group is designed to ensure local communities have a meaningful opportunity to influence community investment priorities and raise concerns as planning progresses. WIM stated it remains committed to ongoing engagement with local stakeholders regardless of the project's approval timeline.
The proposed Avonbank project would involve development over approximately 3,426 hectares across a planned 38-year operational period. The mineral sands deposit contains commercially valuable zircon, titanium minerals and associated rare earth elements. While the project has previously received favourable environmental assessment outcomes and federal environmental approval, the mining licence application is still under consideration by Victorian authorities. More than 830 public submissions were received during the consultation process, reflecting strong community interest in the proposal.
Mayor Klowss reiterated that Horsham Rural City Council will continue advocating for the community throughout the assessment process. He said council will only support the project if it can clearly demonstrate long-term environmental protection, community safety and genuine benefits for the region. Until then, council believes participating in the proposed reference group is not appropriate.
