HUNTER Valley horse studs, wineries and tourism operators have cranked up the pressure on the Premier to reject an application from coal miner Anglo American to extend its Drayton South coal mine.
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In an open letter to Premier Barry O’Farrell, the three industries argue Anglo’s plan near Denman will damage their operations.
In December, the Planning and Assessment Commission (PAC) issued its recommendations on the Drayton Expansion, as did the Gateway Panel, which offers advice when mining and coal seam gas projects are proposed on prime agricultural land.
Now, a fresh set of PAC panel members will determine Drayton’s future.
Last year, the PAC was unusually direct in its findings. It said:
- The plan proposed by Anglo should not be approved.
- Any mining on the site should be required to demonstrate it will not impact the studs’ operations.
- Any new plan will need further assessment.
The Gateway Panel also said thoroughbred horse studs and coal mines are incompatible and cannot coexist in close proximity.
The open letter asks the Premier to “protect our industries, jobs, communities and our futures by ensuring that the independent expert’s advice is upheld and this mine does not proceed.
“More than 640 jobs in the Hunter Valley, and hundreds of thousands of jobs in our national breeding and racing, winemaking and tourism industries depend on it.”
Mike Foley
Senior journalist for The Land.
Senior journalist for The Land.
