A COAL company behind a controversial new mine proposal near Gloucester told the NSW Department of Planning it did not believe an amended plan needed to be placed on exhibition for public comment.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Gloucester Resources Limited director Brian Clifford told the department on August 4 his company did not object to an amended environmental impact statement for its proposed Rocky Hill mine going on exhibition, but it did not believe public exhibition of its amended plans was required.
The department placed the proposal on exhibition on Wednesday after determining amendments since it was first exhibited in 2013 were substantial. These include the movement of coal trucks on a 9 kilometre haul road between the proposed mine and nearby Stratford mine after Stratford owner Yancoal agreed to process Rocky Hill coal, removing the need for coal processing and rail facilities.
The new mine is proposed in a small valley only 3.5 kilometres from Gloucester township. The Rocky Hill mine is proposed to run for 21 years, producing two million tonnes of coal per year and employing about 90 workers, with a net benefit to NSW of $89.5 million over the life of the project.
Groundswell Gloucester responded strongly to the proposal after community protests forced the withdrawal of AGL from its coal seam gas plans in the area earlier this year.
“It’s just crazy stuff to be looking at a new mine so close to town and in that valley,” said Groundswell member Julie Lyford, who led the campaign against AGL.
Groundswell member Di Montague said the revived plan after a long period when residents believed the Rocky Hill project would not go ahead was “upsetting”.
“We can’t understand why they’re doing this, and why the government’s letting them, when we’re supposed to be phasing coal out. Why put a brand new mine here?” Ms Montague said.
“We are over it. After the division that was caused by the AGL proposal, I think even coal seam gas supporters were relieved when it was withdrawn. There was a feeling of ‘Thank goodness that’s over, we can get on with life’. And now this is back.”
Gloucester Resources Limited is majority owned by global energy group AMCI. The mine will produce metallurgical coking coal which an economic assessment predicts will sell for $140 a tonne for most of the project. The assessment predicted average operating costs of about $90 over the life of the project. The assessment noted full time workers would earn an annual net wage of nearly $74,000.
The environmental impact statement will be on exhibition until October 14. The amended plan reduces open cut pits to three.
