IPC approves controversial Mangoola coal mine expansion in Hunter Valley
A coal mine in the NSW Hunter Valley has been thrown a five-year lifeline, after the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) approved an expansion of the Mangoola mine near Muswellbrook, subject to 179 conditions.
Glencore had sought planning approval to build a new pit to
the north of the current site in the Wybong Valley, and mine an additional 52
million tonnes of coal.
The existing Mangoola mine already has approval until
November 2029, however Glencore claims coal reserves would be exhausted by
2025, and the establishment of the new pit is necessary to continue operations.
The project "represents a reasonable 'brownfield'
extension of the existing Mangoola Coal Mine that would enable the economic and
beneficial reuse of existing infrastructure and an orderly and economic use of
land," the IPC said in a statement.
"On balance and when weighed against the impacts under
the current policy and regulatory framework, the project would generate net positive
social and economic benefits for the local area, Hunter region and to
NSW."
'A scar that can never be healed'
Local cattle farmer Keith Googe said he was disappointed by
the decision, and is concerned it could change the complexion of the Wybong Valley.
"I think that final void is a scar that can never be
healed, and the bigger it is, the more significant effect it has to the amenity
of the area," he said.
"Mangoola have done a great job with their current
mine, [but] a future extension?
The mining union has championed the decision as a win for
jobs.
"This news comes as a great relief to the 400 directly
employed mine workers at Mangoola mine," said the CFMEU Northern Mining
and NSW Energy District president Peter Jordan.
The decision comes as campaigning in the crucial Upper
Hunter by-election enters its third week.
Labor candidate Jeff Drayton said the decision would be a
boost for the local workforce.
"It [Mangoola] has the highest proportion of local
employees, it's extremely important economically to those areas," he said.
Independent candidate Kirsty O'Connell said the approval
strengthened the need to reform the planning system.
"Our planning agencies aren't able to take into account
the cumulative impacts that we've experiencing as a community. They're
assessing these mines on a case-by-case basis and unfortunately it doesn't
position us well for the future," she said.
Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate Sue Gilroy said the
IPC were right to categorise the project as a ''brownfields'' extension.
"They're using existing infrastructure and it's close
to the existing mine," she said.
In recommending the project for approval, NSW Department of
Planning said greenhouse gas emissions from the project would "comprise a
very small contribution towards climate change at both the national and global
scale".
The expansion will generate $129 million in royalties and
provide ongoing employment for 400 people, Glencore said.
"The project has successfully met every step of the NSW
environmental assessment requirements.
"We look forward to a timely execution of federal
government and Muswellbrook Shire Council approvals," a company
spokesperson said.
Muswellbrook Shire Council took the rare step of opposing
the proposal during a meeting with the IPC, arguing the proposal lacked key
details about ecological impacts and management of the final void, and was not
in the public interest.
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