IN what has become a regular event in Singleton, the state’s Planning and Assessment Commission (PAC) will be in town today and tomorrow to hear final submissions on the contentious Mount Thorley and Warkworth mines expansion plans.
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And, this week's gathering marks the end of the formal approval process because after this PAC meeting, the commissioners will go away and formulate their final report advising whether to approve or reject the expansion plans.
While everyone holds their particular opinion on the outcome, challenging it could prove problematic and, if possible, would have to be based on proving an error of law in the PAC decision.
To reach this stage has taken more than five years with earlier plans for the Warkworth mine expansion gaining approval in 2012, before that was successfully challenged in the NSW Land and Environment Court.
Next, that ruling to disapprove the expansion plans was appealed by the proponents Rio Tinto in the NSW Court of Appeal.
The mining giant lost that appeal but subsequently submitted their latest plans for the expansion of the two mines.
From Rio Tinto’s point of view, approval of the expansion plans is a must if the company is to retain the 1300 employees currently working at MTW.
According to the company, arguments put forward by those opposing the mine – in particular that further expansion of the mines will wipe out the village of Bulga – are wrong.
Rio Tinto has committed to “enhancing” the village and ensuring the mines meet strict departmental operating guidelines.
For those people opposed to the expansion, they are adamant they will led to death knell of their beloved Bulga community.
Bulga Milbrodale Progress Association has described the PAC meeting as “D-Day for Bulga”.
Association spokesman John Krey said agreeing to this public meeting is a tribute to the strength of community outrage about this mine expansion, but from grim experience “we have little faith in the objective nature of the planning process”.
The PAC meeting will be held at the Singleton Heights Diggers Club from 1pm.