It was a decision that sterilized three million tonnes of coal and at the time, was one of those battles few thought could be won.

On its website The Heritage Council describes Wambo Homestead as highly significant in the context of Australian pastoral activities and horse breeding in New South Wales.

The Heritage Council updated Wambo Homestead’s significance in June 2004 and said it was an important group of homestead buildings which remain substantially intact and displays the progressive architectural development of a typical Australian homestead.

Much has changed in six years.

Keeping in mind Wambo Coal is responsible for the care of the homestead complex, it appears the company has let the homestead go.

A subcommittee from the Heritage Council visited the site in November last year and now says the physical condition of the homestead complex is in decline.

Apparently a series of major storm events and ongoing deterioration is the cause.

Wambo Coal is now resorting to Section 38b of the NSW Heritage Act 1977 t to pave the way for the homestead’s demise.

Section 38b enables the consideration that Wambo Homestead’s long-term conservation is not necessary and that there are economic use and financial hardship arguments which support this option.

This is partly true. Wambo Homestead is sitting on top of three million tonnes of coal which cannot be mined without the homestead’s destruction.

The company’s offer of three million dollars to compensate for the loss of Wambo Homestead before an outcome has been determined is highly questionable.

One would have thought it would be inappropriate to offer a sum of three million dollars before a decision is made.

With all due respect, the offer of money as part of a package should the Heritage Council oblige with Wambo Coal’s request is wrong.

Wambo Homestead is either worth saving or it isn’t.

That is the question the Heritage Council must answer. Forget the money.

When you look at what the Hunter Valley has lost in terms of schools, dairy farms, villages, family properties and the like, one doesn’t hold much hope for Wambo Homestead.