Glen Innes Municipality Severn Shire: geological factors for joint local environment plan

Abstract

The subject area occurs in the north-central New England block, and has a history of, and further potential for, mineral resource development. Moderately high potential exists for economic deposits in the vicinity of old mine workings. Important commodities include base and precious metals, tin, tungsten, molybdenum, and bismuth. Non metallic commodities include gemstones, topaz, quartz, kaolin and other clays. Alluvial mining of sapphires and tin have also been of economic importance in the Shire. Council's planning policies should not sterilize existing mineralized sites, and non-restrictive zonings should be used wherever feasible so as not to preclude possible future mine developments. Council should also preserve existing sites for extraction of construction materials and not preclude the development of new sites. Potential geological hazards/constraints to development include areas of potential flooding, and possible stability problems on basaltic soils.