Planning Minister Rob Stokes today announced the State’s mining policy will be changed to ensure economic, environmental and social considerations are appropriately balanced when considering mining projects.

Former Minister for Resources and Energy Chris Hartcher was the person responsible for the 2013 SEPP changes and those opposed to them consider they were the result of the successful Land and Environment Court judgment obtained  by the Bulga Milbrodale Progress Association in its fight to stop Rio Tinto's expansion plans for its Warkworth mine.

The proposed reforms to the Mining SEPP were on exhibition in July and received more than 2,400 submissions, 98 per cent of which supported the proposed amendment.

 Mr Stokes said the community overwhelmingly supported the reform. “Mining plays an important role in the NSW economy, however we must ensure that our policies reflect the importance of balance in assessing the likely impacts of mining developments,”

 Mr Stokes said. “A crucial pillar of our planning system is that decision makers consider environmental impacts on both the natural and built environments, and social and economic impacts in their assessment of development applications.

“As with all development, it is critical that there is a balanced consideration of all impacts of developments on local communities, broader regions and the State.”

The policy will come into effect on Wednesday, September 2, one week before the second Planning and Assessment Commission(PAC)  hearing into the Rio Tinto's Mount Thorley Warkworth mine expansion plans.

Later in the same week PAC will consider Anglo American's proposed Drayton South Coal project. 

Bulga Milbrodale Progress Association, spokesman John Krey said the Minister's decision was very welcome news and took out the uncertainty for PAC when they consider the Mount Thorley Warkworth projects next week.

"We are back to a level playing field where economic, social and environmental impacts are considered equally when it comes to approving mining projects, " he said.

"Given this factor our organisation believes the Land and Environment Court decision upheld in the Supreme Court should stand and Rio Tinto's plans for their mines should be  rejected."

NSW Minerals Council CEO, Stephen Galilee said "We have always supported a balanced approach to the assessment of new mining projects. Our concern with the proposed changes was that state and regional economic factors would no longer be mandatory factors for consideration in the assessment process."

"In response to our concerns the Minister has advised that he intends to amend the standard terms of reference issued to the Planning Assessment Commission for future mining projects to make these economic factors mandatory in the determination process. 

"We will be watching closely on behalf of regional mining communities to ensure this alternative approach ensures economic factors do continue to be mandatory in project determinations."