Australian Vanadium Ltd (ASX:AVL, OTCQB:ATVVF) has received a strong show of support for its planned vanadium processing facility at Tenindewa near Geraldton in Western Australia with the council supporting a local planning scheme amendment proposing to rezone the site.
The City of Greater Geraldton Council has passed a resolution to support the amendment pursuant to the Planning and Development Act 2005 (WA) for the site of the proposed plant at Tenindewa, about 65 kilometres east of Geraldton.
Rezoning process
This is one of the final steps in the process of rezoning the site from ‘Rural’ to ‘Industry’ land use.
In making its decision, the council considered various issues raised by stakeholders during the public submission period.
As a result, council voted for the amendment with modifications, all of which are supported by AVL.
Local support
AVL’s chief executive officer Graham Arvidson said: “We are grateful for the council's time and careful assessment of the amendment. AVL also acknowledges the support of key stakeholders in the area and the issues raised by surrounding landowners during this process.
"AVL will continue to work closely with interested and affected parties to ensure issues are adequately addressed to deliver a successful and sustainable project.”
Council’s resolution will be forwarded to the WA Planning Commission for review and the matter will then be determined by the Minister for Planning, followed by gazettal, completing the rezoning process for the site.
“Long-term benefits”
“The proposed site is expected to provide several long-term benefits to the Mid-West region of Western Australia,” Arvidson said.
“As noted by the council, our project was awarded major project status by the Federal Government in 2019 for its national and regional strategic significance. This includes the opportunities for regional economic growth, job creation and broader economic benefits for businesses and the community during construction and production.
“Obtaining support from the council advances our efforts to finalise approvals of our project and serves as a strong endorsement of the company’s plan to become a fully integrated vanadium flow battery provider, from vanadium products and electrolyte manufacturing to the batteries themselves, all within Western Australia.”
Vanadium supply chain
The Australian Vanadium Project includes a mine and a crushing, milling and beneficiation plant (or concentrator) at Gabanintha, near Meekatharra, and the downstream vanadium processing plant at the site at Tenindewa, near Mullewa.
AVL also owns and operates a vanadium electrolyte plant in Perth.