THE state government on Monday referred the proposed Wallarah 2 Coal Project to the independent Planning Assessment Commission for determination.
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The controversial $800-million underground coal mine project is proposed for a site at Bushells Ridge, about five kilometres north-west of Wyong, near the border with Lake Macquarie.
The Department of Planning and Environment’s Dr Oliver Holm said the department had strengthened the conditions of consent for the mine’s amended development application.
Those DA modifications, submitted in 2016, sought to introduce a coal conveyor, realign the sewer connection, and add a new rail loop near Blue Haven.
“Following a second merit review by the commission in May this year, the department finalised its assessment, addressing the commission’s recommendations and has referred it to the independent commission for final decision,” Dr Holm said.
“The department remains satisfied that the project is in the public interest, and is approvable, subject to the draft conditions of consent.
“We amended and strengthened the draft conditions in response to the commission’s recommendations.
“The project will provide real and significant economic and social benefits for the Central Coast region and for NSW as a whole, with employment opportunities for around 450 people during construction and 300 during operations.”
The mine is opposed by Central Coast Council, Darkinjung Aboriginal Land Council, Wyong MP David Harris and Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper.
There is widespread and ongoing community concern about the impact the mine could have on the region’s water supply.
The amended DA has also raised the hackles of Blue Haven residents.
The mine’s general manager, Peter Allonby, said there remained misconceptions about the plan.
These including the false notions that the mine would be open cut, and that coal trucks would be rumbling down local streets.
“Our coal will all be transported by rail and there will be no transportation of coal by trucks on the road. Not any, not anywhere,” he said in the company’s latest newsletter.
The amended DA attracted about 680 public and agency submissions during the exhibition period. The department said it had “carefully considered” the community feedback.