Opposition Continues to Central Coast Mine Development

A bitter and long-running dispute over the development of a coal mine on NSW Central Coast looks set to continue, despite a recent decision by the Planning and Assessment Commission (PAC) to approve the mine. 

Previous plans for the mine had been rejected back in 2010, reports ABC News. However, a new application for the Wallarah 2 Coal Project near Wyong was subsequently submitted and has been the subject of considerable controversy ever since.

One of the main sources of opposition to the plan is the Australian Coal Alliance, which is concerned that the mine will have a detrimental impact on the local water supply. They claim that the location of the proposed mine is in a key water catchment area.

However, in the opinion of the PAC the development of the mine is in the public interest. It highlights that the project will lead to the creation of around 750 operational and construction jobs and will also bring significant investment into the area.

It says it recognises that the mine will be located in a water catchment area, but states that risks and impacts can be managed through a “framework of rigorous controls and requirements”.

Scot MacDonald, who is the Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, says he believes the PAC has made the right decision, highlighting that the approval comes with around 40 conditions that the mining company will need to abide by.

However, the Australian Coal Alliance remains unconvinced, and has announced its intention to challenge the decision in the Land and Environment Court.

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