We need your help! The Ballarat City Council on 28th of June granted approval for a 43 hectare gold mining waste dam to be constructed within 100 metres of homes, right on Mount Clear's doorstep in Tinworth Avenue. It is open to the air, long term, and uses a settling and drying process that can raise toxic dust - this is a public health issue. The close proximity of this hazardous waste facility to homes, schools, childcare, and residential aged care is unprecedented in Australia. Tailings dams store waste materials from mining operations, containing hazardous substances like arsenic and silica, and heavy metals. It is highly inappropriate for a residential area. The council refused our request for an Environmental Effects Statement (EES) as a condition of the permit. This denies the Mount Clear community, including approximately 1000 individuals classified as 'sensitive receptors,' a comprehensive understanding of potential impacts on our air quality, soil contamination, potential seepage into ground water and overall quality of life. It is our fundamental right to expect a thorough assessment of the environmental risks associated with this dam. Your support is vital. Ballarat City Council's approval of the tailings dam construction without an EES puts our community at grave risk. We must take action and challenge this decision before VCAT (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal), and for that, we need your help. Your generous donation will help cover the VCAT application fees ($934) and hearing costs. It could empower us to safeguard our suburb and our city. Kindly share to ensure our message reaches all concerned local citizens. Thank you for standing with us. Your support will make a significant difference. Tailings Dam Community Safety Action Group (TDCSAG) https://tailingsdamcommunitymountclear.com/