Sand mine killed, coal mine on hold - there's an election in the air

“There was extraordinary public concern about the proposal, including concern about potential negative impacts on Somersby Public School, located just 180 metres away. The Government considered this as well as other potential impacts on air quality, noise, water and threatened species such as the Somersby Mintbush,” said Ms Keneally.

The potential economic benefits for the Central Coast region were weighed but lost out to social and environmental consequences.
Ms Keneally said that the mine’s managers could not be relied on to monitor or ensue safe operations. “I’d like to note the efforts of Gosford MP Marie Andrews in voicing the views of the community and local residents throughout the assessment process,” Ms Keneally said.

Ms Keneally concluded by saying that the Leader of the Opposition was playing politics in wanting the mine approved. “Clearly Mr O’Farrell wanted this sand mine approved, and wanted it approved closer to the next election so that he could play politics with the decision. It’s quite frankly outrageous,” she said.

At the same time Ms Keneally delayed approval of the Wallarah Coal Project – instead announcing the next steps to assess the Wallarah Coal Project, a process that will include review by independent experts and the Planning Assessment Commission (PAC). “This will be one of the strictest and most comprehensive merit assessments of any coal mining project ever undertaken in Australia,” Ms Keneally said.

Ms Keneally said the beginning of merit assessment of the Wallarah Coal Project follows an extensive, independent inquiry into the broader impacts of underground coal mining in the Wyong area. “The inquiry, chaired by former Liberal Opposition Leader, Kerry Chikarovski, says mining proposals in the Wyong area can be examined on their merits,” she said.

Ms Keneally said that prior to any determination of the Wallarah Coal Project, the proposal will be put under the microscope and has also made the decision a political one saying, “Mr O'Farrell has previously said that he would ignore the Chikarovski report, and rule out the Wallarah proposal without any merit assessment.”

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