Two farming communities are awaiting decisions from the state's Independent Planning Commission (IPC) on coal projects that many fear will adversely impact their districts and future farming operations.
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At Bylong the Korean company Kepco is hoping to build a new mine in the now 'coal free' valley.
Near Aberdeen Australian Pacific Coal (AQC) is keen to reopen the Dartbrook underground mine that has been in care and maintenance since 2006.
Both projects have met with strong opposition from the local community who are not keen on having their communities transformed into industrial landscapes with all the problems associated for air, water, noise impacts and loss of biodiversity and community.
The planning process for Bylong Coal Project began in January 2014 and in April that year they received a conditional Gateway Certificate, a document that last five years. The IPC has undertaken two reviews with the second in 2018 being a final determination.
While we await that determination the project's Gateway Certificate lapsed resulting in the IPC notifying Kepco of this issue however, the proponent argues when the IPC began its review of the project the certificate was current and its the IPC's fault not Kepco that they are taking so long to make a final decision on the mine.
At Dartbrook it maybe a lack of finances combined with falling coal prices and mine safety concerns that have the biggest impact on its future. Australian Pacific Coal have lost a joint venture investor and recently announced they sold shares in a Queensland based coking coal operation to keep the income flowing on the project.
Friends of the Upper Hunter maintains that Dartbrook is an exceptionally risky proposition in the light of the longstanding and well documented issues with gas, spontaneous combustion and flooding, the three deaths that occurred at the site under a far more experienced operator, and the recent revelation by the Resources Regulator that a long-term Dartbrook worker has been diagnosed with black lung
Recent ASX announcements make it clear that the company is operating on the goodwill of two investors (Nick Paspaley and John Robinson via unit trust, Trepang), a spokesperson for the group said.
With heightened public interest in Dartbrook's financial machinations and the owner's motivation for reopening the mine the IPC noted on its website as the determination is now pending, the Commission will not accept any further comments from stakeholders, including comments from members of the public.
Louise Nichols
From cattle to coal. Once a specialist agriculture writer today its about community, in particular, the Upper Hunter. I have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. Land use issues and the future direction of our region. But you cannot take ag out of the picture - our food and how we grow it is the basis of all life. Covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast rural issues is now part of my role with ACM.
From cattle to coal. Once a specialist agriculture writer today its about community, in particular, the Upper Hunter. I have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. Land use issues and the future direction of our region. But you cannot take ag out of the picture - our food and how we grow it is the basis of all life. Covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast rural issues is now part of my role with ACM.
