While no doubt the decision will be appealed by the mine, it is significant, since it’s the first refusal under the new transitional arrangements (moving from the old “Part 3A” planning process. It is encouraging to see the Office of Water's experts being listened to. However, it is also obvious that the Dept of Planning (as in the bureaucrats) is very proactively pro coal mining and prepared to disregard health and water issues. I wonder why the department disregards environmental & health issues?
President.
GLENNIES CREEK MINE PLAN BANNED
Fears about damage to the Hunter River and the health of Camberwell village residents have prompted the NSW Planning Assessment Commission to refuse a coalmining application near Glennies Creek, outside Singleton
It is the second time the commission has refused a Hunter coalmining application, the first being the Bickham proposal, near Scone, which was rejected in May 2010.
...............‘‘The NSW Department of Planning and infrastructure made an addendum submission to the commission recommending the project be approved. [The commission] did not consider this submission in its determination process for the Ashton project,’’ the spokesman said.
http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/glennies-creek-mine-plan-banned/2401068.aspx
NEWCASTLE HERALD EDITORIAL
The importance of the NSW Planning Assessment Commission's refusal of Ashton Coal's plan for an open cut mine near Glennies Creek can't be overstated.
It has the potential to be seen as the line in the sand that Hunter communities - concerned about a handful of proposals to mine land near rivers once considered to be off-limits to miners - have been asking the government to provide
http://www.theherald.com.au/news/opinion/editorial/general/mine-refusal-draws-a-line/2401329.aspx
(Thanks to the “Save Gloucester” team for the links.)
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