THE future of Cobbora Holding Company’s (CHC’s) lessees and licensees remains uncertain following the NSW Government’s decision to sell the 32,500 hectares of farmland managed by the company.
The land was acquired under the former Labor government’s plan to establish an open-cut thermal coal mine to supply the state-owned 1320 megawatt Vales Point power station at Lake Macquarie. Last week it was announced the government had sold the Vales Point power station and the sale of the Cobbora landholdings would also begin soon.
Maurice Cluff is one of a number of licensees who are seeking answers. He's licensed for five years to farm a “significant” amount of grazing and cropping country from CHC.
“We’ve made significant investments to the land with the expectation the most reasonable conditions of the license would be seen out. We’re very keen to continue on with our operations,” Mr Cluff said.
“We need clarity around whether the licenses will continue for their full term or whether they’ll be interrupted and the land sold.”
Mr Cluff employs four people full-time.
“We’d like see some continued stability for the sake of the whole community, ” he said.
The Land understands the terms and conditions of licenses and leases will continue to be honoured by CHC.
Lessee Mark Dent is also seeking clarity.
He leases country which complements his nearby property, “Cobbora Station”.
“It’s going to be another debacle trying to work out what will happen to the land now,” Mr Dent said.
“I’m just glad it’s going to be returned to agricultural production. I’d like to see families take up the land to inject some youth and prosperity into the area.”
But, Birriwa farmer Kerry Bourke fears the land will be re-sold to people or companies who don’t have genuine farming interests.
Her property is surrounded by land now owned by the CHC.
“The coal deposits will never go away and I feel the gate is now open for purchase by foreign interests,” Ms Bourke said.
