CHITTERING residents have raised concerns about proposed infrastructure corridors that could traverse private properties for Chalice Mining’s Gonneville Project.

Chalice discovered a multi-metal deposit at Julimar in 2020 and submitted the Gonneville project for state and commonwealth environmental approvals in 2024.

Since 2025, a number of residents have received notice that a water pipeline and power infrastructure could traverse their properties as part of the project.

At a community meeting hosted by Protect our Valley Chittering attended by Echo News, residents voiced concerns about environmental impacts, potential property devaluation and being classified as unaffected landholders despite some corridors running near their properties.

Chalice will apply for a miscellaneous licence under the Mining Act 1978 (WA) for its infrastructure corridors, which can secure rights for mining infrastructure on private land and provides compensation and objection processes for landholders.

A Chalice Mining spokesperson said not all powerlines would run overhead.

“Chalice Mining has listened to landholder and community feedback and concerns regarding the impact of overhead powerlines through the rural residential zone near Maryville Heights and has decided to install the powerlines underground in this zone,” the spokesperson said.

The Shire of Chittering passed a motion at its last council meeting to actively advocate against the location of the proposed mining infrastructure through private properties.

The shire said final decisions regarding the infrastructure would likely be determined through state-led approval processes.

Protect our Valley Chittering founding member Sarah Mchiggins received notice that the powerline crossing her property would run underground if the preferred corridor receives all approvals.

“Even if the powerlines are underground, the corridor could still require substantial land clearing and place a 100m-wide infrastructure corridor across our property,” she said.

"Residents are concerned that if responsibility for the transmission line changes in the future, there is uncertainty about whether the currently proposed underground section would remain underground. We would like clarity about what protections would exist against future changes.

“Furthermore, I believe the proposed overhead powerlines and infrastructure corridor should also be moved away from larger rural properties and productive farming land.

“Overhead powerlines could fragment properties, limit future land use, affect farming operations and permanently alter the landscape and character of our rural community.”

Ms Mchiggins and her partner bought their property at the end of 2025 but only found out about the preferred infrastructure corridors in May 2026 when they received a letter from Chalice.

“When we purchased we were aware that the rear of our property contained a protected tree preservation area, covered by a restrictive covenant and environmental management plan – we weren’t aware of anything to do with Chalice Mining,” she said.

“We bought this property for the lifestyle and nature aspect.

“There’s plenty of wildlife living out the back of our block in the environmental corridor, which is important to us, and we want to do our part in protecting that nature.

“It’s been extremely stressful and time-consuming since we found out.

“This has taken over our lives. It was our dream block – our future – and now everything is uncertain.”

The group advocates for infrastructure corridors to be moved away from private rural residential properties and environmentally sesitive areas.

“We’re asking for transparency, proper consultation and genuine consideration of alternative routes,” Ms Mchiggins said.

“We feel as landowners, we’ve received inconsistent information from Chalice.”

Residents have said that the information given to them by Chalice has varied from resident to resident.

They claim it is unclear which properties would have the powerlines underground and not overhead.

Long time resident Christopher Carr said he and his wife are not against the mine, but that doesn’t erase their concerns.

“We hope that the Gonneville mine will be a success and provide substantial employment for the growing number of FIFO workers who are currently settling in the Chittering Valley and will be able to drive to work instead of catching a plane,” he said.

“We even have 7500 shares in Chalice, but it looks as though there will be powerlines from the front of our orchard and be highly visible from our home.

“We could put up with that if the cables were located underground. There will be much disturbance and noise during construction which will shatter what is our peaceful retirement home but that is the price of progress we suppose.

“The beauty of the Chittering Valley belongs to every Western Australian.”

Chalice’s spokesperson said the company preferred to engage with landholders individually as the details relevant to each landholder is specific to their property.

“Chalice is engaging directly with each landholder whose property is directly affected by the corridor, as well as with neighbouring landholders who have raised questions or concerns,” the spokesperson said.

“The preferred corridor is subject to ongoing refinement as part of the environmental assessment and landholder engagement process and was selected through a deliberate, multi-stage process.

“The first pass involved facilitated workshops with Water Corporation, Western Power, and qualified planning consultants.

“Those route options were then tested through direct landholder engagement during 2025 and ground surveys identified environmental constraints – including known habitat for threatened species – or where landholder feedback showed a route was unworkable, routes were cut.

“Construction on the project, subject to all approvals and a positive final investment decision, is currently targeted for 2028.”

The Environmental Protection Authority is currently assessing the adequacy of Chalice’s Environmental Review Document before it is released for public comment.

Chalice Mining is also running a Local Voices survey, which is scheduled to close on Sunday, July 5.

*A previous edition reported that Chalice had applied for a miscellaneous licence. This is incorrect as according to Chalice’s website the application is planned for later this year.