THERE is growing speculation a big announcement regarding the Shenhua coal mine is due before the end of the year.
The NSW government has been considering the mine’s application for a renewed exploration licence for more than 18 months, since February 2016.
New England CountryMinded candidate Pete Mailler said there was a buzz around the Gunnedah Business Chamber about the mine, but he believed any announcement would be held back until after the byelection, to shield the Nationals candidate from any potential backlash.
While the Shenhua proposal lies outside the New England electorate, Mr Mailler said the mine’s potential impacts to the water table would be a “disaster that knows no boundaries”.
He urged the federal Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg to use the water trigger legislation.
“If ever there was a need to invoke the water trigger, this is it,” Mr Mailler said.
“What is at risk here is the destruction of some of the most productive agricultural soils, landscapes and aquifers in the country, and once destroyed they can never be recovered.
“It’s time we all took this issue seriously and commit to physically stand against this decision. I for one will stand on the line when the time comes.”
Gunnedah Business Chamber president Michael Broekman said he’d heard nothing from any of the circles the chamber communicates with.
“The [NSW Resource Minister] Don Harwin was here other day and he was fairly positive, but other than that there has been no chatter,” Mr Broekman said
“Maybe it’s just wishful thinking – or not wishful thinking – depending on what side of the fence you are on.”
The NSW Resource Minister was contacted, but did not provide a comment before the publication’s deadline.
Previous responses from the NSW government and the Resource Minister during the last 18 months have failed to shed any light on Shenhua’s application for a renewed exploration licence.
"The Department of Planning and Environment’s Division of Resources and Geoscience are considering the renewal application,” a spokesperson for Mr Harwin told The Leader in September.
A spokesperson for Shenhua declined to comment, other than to say said they were not aware of any imminent announcement.
Previous responses from the NSW government and Resource Minister over 18 months
February 17, 2016
“Shenhua Watermark submitted an application for the renewal of their exploration licence on 5 February. The Division now reviews and processes the application and will then provide advice to the Minister for consideration,” spokesperson for Division of Resources and Energy.
October 19, 2016
“The Division of Resources and Energy is reviewing this application and will be providing advice to the Minister,” spokesperson for former NSW Resource Minister Anthony Roberts.
July 12, 2017
“An application to amend the current renewal application to remove the relinquished area has been received.”
"The relinquished area will be removed from the title and the consideration of the renewal application for the remainder of the licence will be considered as per normal procedures and in accordance with the Act,” spokesperson for the Department of Planning and Environment.
September 6, 2017
“The Department of Planning and Environment’s Division of Resources and Geoscience are considering the renewal application,” spokesperson for NSW Resources Minister Don Harwin.
Jamieson Murphy
Newcastle Herald news director. Interested in any and all yarns. Whisper g'day mate to me at jamieson.murphy@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Newcastle Herald news director. Interested in any and all yarns. Whisper g'day mate to me at jamieson.murphy@austcommunitymedia.com.au
