community, Macarthur Advertiser, Wollongong Coal

A proposal from a company seeking to undermine parts of Macarthur’s drinking water supply has taken a significant step forward. The Department of Planning and Environment recommended Wollongong Coal’s Russell Vale long wall mine expansion be approved despite a new government policy which was meant to give greater weight to environmental concerns when determining mining proposals. The Planning Assessment Commission had previously ruled the company needed to provide more information about mining under the sensitive Metropolitan Special Area and Lake Cataract catchment before it could make a final determination. The special area is so protected bush walkers are banned from entering the area. However, the application was sent back to the department following changes to the policy. It will again be forwarded back to the Planning Assessment Commission for a final decision. National Parks Association Macarthur branch spokeswoman Julie Sheppard — a vocal opponent of the proposal — described the department’s recommendation as ‘‘very disappointing’’ and ‘‘unhelpful’’. ‘‘Looking at the department’s track record that [recommendation] is not surprising,’’ she said. ‘‘Unfortunately economics always wins and to be given the green light is very irresponsible.’’ Mine operations manager Rhys Brett said the department’s finding validated the company’s risk assessment. ‘‘[This] adds further weight to the significant body of scientific evidence that puts to rest residual concerns about potential impact’s on Sydney’s drinking water, the Cataract Reservoir and upland swamps,’’ he said. ‘‘The relevant experts agree the project’s potential impacts on groundwater and surrounding areas are minimal and within regulatory guidelines.’’

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