Gloucester Community Won the Battle

BY TYLER FARDELL


The proposed Rocky Hill coal mine near Gloucester has long been a contentious point for many residents and the battle appears to be over for now.

The NSW Planning Assessment Commission rejected the proposal of the mine, stating it was too close in proximity to Gloucester, have a significant visual impact and would exceed the maximum noise limits.

The news was welcomed by much of the local community, as well as Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham.

"It's a win for the community, for the environment and for renewable energy", he said.

"Coal is the way of the past and it's about time the government realized that".

The residents who campaigned to stop the mine know the war isn't over yet, not until the State government buys back the licence to the mine.

Currently, Gloucester Resources still have the licence to build the Rocky Hill mine and have stated they intend to repeal the rejection by the planning commission in the Land and Environment Court.

A petition calling for the Government to buy back the licence has already amassed more than 4500 signatures, to end the issue once and for all.

Rocky Hill coal mine protest group
Source 'Green Left Weekly'

Department of Planning: Gloucester not a suitable site for Rocky Hill mine

BY JARROD MELMETH

Lock the Gate Alliance have welcomed a recommendation by the Department of Planning rejecting the development application for the Rocky Hill coal mine at Gloucester.

In an Environmental Impact Assessment to the Planning Assessment Commission, the Department has listed, the site not being suitable for the project; the impacts to residents due to the proximity to the town of Gloucester; visual and social impacts as well as the project not being in the public interest as reasons why the development application should be refused.

The report concludes that "the Department acknowledges that the amended project would deliver economic and employment benefits to the Gloucester region and State economies for the period that the mine would be operational.

"However, in the Department's view, the amended project is incompatibly located with respect to the southern fringes of the nearby urban area of Gloucester," the Environmental Impact Assessment said.

Lock the Gate Alliance spokesperson Georgina Woods says this is a common sense decision.

"It was never a good idea to dig an open cut coal mine right on Gloucester's doorstep and to subject the people there to air and noise pollution. We welcome it and congratulate the people of Gloucester who have rallied together to protect the quality of life and environment of their community," Ms Woods said.

Although the proposal for the mine has been amended by reducing operating hours as well as a range of other measures, the Department did not provide any recommended conditions of consent.

NSW Greens resources spokesman Jeremy Buckingham said it was time for the Planning Assessment Commission to now reject the mine and the government should cancel the exploration license for the area to give the residents of Gloucester some certainty for the future.

The Planning Assessment Commission has convened and elected a chair to rule on the matter although no deadline for a decision has yet been set.

Protesters against Rocky Hill coal mine. Image: Groundswell
Gloucester.