Rio Tinto have denied claims raised on the first day of the Planning and Assessment (PAC)meeting in Singleton that the company 'buried' an unfavorable social impact assessment.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The assessment prepared by EMM, Sydney based environmental and planning consultants, concerned the opinions of the Bulga residents towards Rio Tinto's proposed Mount Thorley Warkworth mines expansions.
According to John Krey, spokesman for Bulga Milbrodale Progress Association, the original impact assessment said the mines expansions should not be approved because of the adverse impacts on the village of Bulga.
In response to his claims Rio Tinto have said “EMM was responsible for conducting the only Social Impact Assessment for the projects, which was published in the Environmental Impact Statement.
“Rio Tinto stands by the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) report that involved the engagement of a wide range of stakeholders and which the overall findings reflect the community consultation undertaken.
“The report met the Secretary’s guidelines and has been accepted as part of our comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement.”
EMM have also issued a response to Mr Krey's claims saying "A report in the Singleton Argus of 30 June contains a claim by Mr John Krey of Bulga that EMM was pressured by its client Rio Tinto to withdraw and/or amend a social impact report for the Warkworth Continuation 2014 project."
"EMM refutes this claim entirely. We prepared a comprehensive social impact assessment which showed that, on balance, the social effects of the Warkworth project would be positive. EMM stands by the SIA and its conclusions entirely."
However Mr Krey told the Argus he stands by his statement to the PAC on Tuesday and requests the commissioners source the original social impact assessment from EMM.
And on Wednesday the ABC's 'The Weekly' comedy program - prepared a sketch on Bulga.
