ONLY a week ago the federal government announced the appointment of a highly qualified expert scientific committee to investigate coal seam gas and large coalmining applications.
This appointment clearly recognised the need to independently analyse the impact of expansive open-cut mining.
Within days we hear the Mount Thorley-Warkworth expansion has been approved. This mine was sanctioned by the state government but because of community concern, was referred to a planning assessment commission for final determination.
Yesterday the commission said yes in news that came as a shock, especially on the back of last year’s refusal of the Ashton expansion on grounds of noise and dust impacts.
There will be noise and dust impacts with the Warkworth expansion but there is another issue that is deeply concerning.
This approval flies in the face of a state government promise back in 2003 that the Warkworth Sands area would be protected for eternity. Now it will be mined.
If this expert panel and the federal government is serious, surely such a huge expansion of a mine so close to Bulga, warranted waiting for the panel’s scrutiny.
Email a friend