The projects include two from Integra with one being underground, Xstrata’s Ravensworth project, and Ashton’s South East open cut and modification 5.

The decision puts almost $900 million worth of investment and over 1730 construction and operational jobs in uncertainty.

Given that Minister for Planning Tony Kelly has fast tracked the Government’s Upper Hunter Air Quality Monitoring Network, the decision by the same department to put four projects on hold while the proponents re-assess their air quality modelling makes it appear as though the department is getting mining companies to do the government’s work.

Spokesperson for the Singleton Healthy Shire Environment Group Lyn MacBain said that while there was comfort in the fact that the department had requested more from the mining companies, it did present as unusual.

“I don’t know how the mines are going to adjust their air quality model when there is not a national model to base it on,” she told The Singleton Argus yesterday.

The Department of Planning was unable to provide The Singleton Argus with specifics on what additional information they require from the mines yesterday.

The Director General’s requires the Ravensworth project make an assessment of the potential impacts on the environment during all stages of the project, including any cumulative impacts, taking into consideration any relevant laws, policies, guidelines and plans, and the findings of the Independent Review of Cumulative Impacts on Camberwell Village.

The Singleton Argus understands the independent review has been completed but is yet to be publicly released.

All four projects on hold are in close proximity. The Singleton Argus asked the Department of Planning if the information in the Camberwell report had anything to do with the request for more air quality modelling.

At the time of going to print yesterday, The Singleton Argus had not received a response to this question.

The projects have all been previously provided with Director General Requirements and have already been on exhibition for the required periods.

The decision to now put them on hold is unusual.

Equally unusual is NSW Planning’s decision to require further information in addition to the Director General Requirements.

NSW Planning said the request has nothing at all to do with the proposed new resources tax.