If the project is approved Ashton will need to purchase eight properties that are within the mine’s boundaries.

People living in a further seven households would be found alternative accommodation for around seven years to avoid the mines impacts.

They would then be allowed to return to their homes once mining operations had moved far enough away from the properties.

The news has come as a shock to many of the residents, many of whom had objected to the proposal.

Mine manager Peter Barton said the viability of the mine would be reviewed pending finalisation of all necessary approvals and land access arrangements.

Wendy Bowman, whose property is in the acquisition zone, said too much was at risk for a relatively small seven-year project.

Changes made to address concerns

PETER Barton, on behalf of Ashton Coal, said Ashton made significant changes to its original mine plan to meet the concerns raised by the DP&I and others in submissions, including setting back the proposed mine from the Camberwell Village and eliminating night-time operations for the first two years.

The report states imminent closure of Ashton’s North East Open Cut would not result in a net increase in the number of active mines surrounding Camberwell.

One of the conditions placed on Ashton is to prepare a Camberwell Village Enhancement Plan in consultation with the community, Singleton Council and the department.

The plan would include a program of community works funded by Ashton including a park with a play and picnic area, riparian revegetation, footpaths and cycleway, and tree plantings.

This would need to be submitted to the Director-General for approval by the end of December 2016.

The department has also added a condition requiring Ashton to prepare an oral history of Camberwell.

Further water approvals needed before Ashton project can go ahead

SIGNIFICANT concerns were raised by the Office of Water about Ashton South East Open Cut and the potential for it to intercept the permeable alluvial deposits associated with Glennies Creek.

However the DP&I believes Ashton won’t have any impact on downstream water users and the environment.

There is a 150metre buffer between Glennies Creek and the open cut pit but residents say this is not enough.

A number of water groups have been long calling for a 500metre buffer zone between mining and alluvial flats, not just the water’s edge.

Glennies Creek extends to the Maitland tidal pools and is a source of water for all water users downstream.

Part of the conditions of consent for the Asthon extension require the payment of compensation should water be lost.

Ashton’s Peter Barton said Ashton reviewed the conditions of consent and is confident it can comply with the controls the DP&I has recommended to minimise and mitigate the impacts of the project.

The conditions of consent require further water licensing that will need to be obtained in the future from the Office of Water before the project can go ahead.

Concern over Aboriginal sites

AN Aboriginal Archaeological survey identified 85 Aboriginal sites and 1125 Aboriginal objects within, or close to, the Ashton expansion project area.

The DP&I has approved the project on the condition Ashton develop an Aboriginal Heritage Conservation Strategy and a Heritage Management Strategy for the mine complex, in consultation with other government departments.

This satisfies the DP&I that the mine complex can be managed in a manner that Aboriginal heritage values can be conserved.

Scott Franks from the Plains Clans of the Wonnarua People said the departmental conditions will never compensate or mitigate what is the destruction of Aboriginal culture.

“You cannot put a management plan or mitigation measures in place for what is the destruction of our culture,” he said.

Mr Franks said it is not only about the items located but the significance of the sites which include a song line associated with the waterways, bora grounds that were used for mens’ initiations, and birthing places for women.