No More Open-Cut Mining Plans for Drayton South in the Upper Hunter

BY JESSICA ROUSE

An amendment to a state mining and planning policy means no open-cut mining will be allowed on Drayton South.

The NSW Government announced the change today, which they say brings certainty to both the industry and the community in the Upper Hunter.

Minister for Planning and Housing Anthony Roberts announced the amendment which will "protect the valuable and world-renowned horse studs in the area".

The State Government has approved underground mining for the site though, which looks to be getting undertaken by Malabar Coal.

The company expects to finalise their purchase of the project for exploration on the site in the coming months and say they've already surrendered part of the previous license that had extended south of the Golden Highway encroaching on horse studs.

But Georgina Woods from Lock the Gate Alliance believes it falls far short of what's needed in the area.

"It's good to see this formalised but really we are disappointed with the narrowness of the decision. It's actually condemning the farming and horse breeding industries of the Hunter Valley to have to continue to fight for their survival against the government who seems to have ears only for the coal industry."

Image theaustralian.com.au

Drayton South mine promises to only mine underground

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

The newsest buyer for the Drayton South Coal Mine in the Upper Hunter is promising to only mine underground.

Thoroughbred horse studs are cautiously welcoming the plan after years of dispute over the mines' expansion.

Horse breeders have long argued the impact of former owner, Anglo American's original plan would've seen coal mining only 500 metres from their doorsteps, causing major dust and noise problems for their horses.

Malabar Coal is promising to only mine underground and has agreed to have its mining license varied.

Mine rejection saves thoroughbred industry again

BY: GARY-JON LYSAGHT

The region's thoroughbred industry is praising the decision made by the Planning Assessment Commission to halt Anglo American's plan for a mine in the Upper Hunter.

It's the fourth time the Drayton South coal mine has been rejected by the PAC, with reports the state government are now making moves to cap the number of times an application can be lodged.

The Daily Telegraph reported on Friday that the submission was rejected because it posed a risk to the Coolmore and Godolphin's Darley thoroughbred studs in the Upper Hunter.

The Upper Hunter thoroughbred industry was in danger of moving interstate if the mine went ahead. [Picture: Scone Chamber].

Hunter Thoroughbred Association President Cameron Collins said the decision made by the PAC was "logical".

"The science, the economics, and common sense support this decision.  It's the fourth decision in our favour by 12 independent commissioners over the past four years," Mr Collins said.

"But, it doesn't prevent another application for a mine on this site and we think there's an opportunity now for the government to make a decision to block any further mining on this site."

Anglo American first made an application in 2011, to build a mine 500 metres from the same farms which bore runners including Black Caviar and Winx.

That application was rejected twice, and a third time when Anglo American moved the mine's border to 900 meters away.

Planning Minister Anthony Roberts has reportedly begun steps to limit the number of applications an organisation can lodge, even though the planning department recently recommended the mine be approved.

"At the moment, people can come back and appeal based on a very similar application," Mr Roberts told Macquarie Radio on Thursday.

Cameron Collins

"It would require some legislation and this is where I would hope the Labor party would support us."

Mr Collins said there needs to be an agreement between Upper Hunter industries to determine which land is for what.

"Both industries, the mining industry and the breeding industry - and agriculture in general - need an understanding of where mining can go and where it can't go," Mr Collins said.

"We would think it's time for the state government to put some buffers in the equine critical industry cluster.

"That would give us some certainty and investors certainty, and will also give the mining industry some clarity as to where they can and can't mine."

When lodging the submission, Anglo American made the assertion that the mine would generate almost 1,000 new jobs for the Upper Hunter, as well as $300 million in royalties.

That is a far cry from the $2.6 billion estimated worth of the thoroughbred industry - a number Mr Collions said was recognised by the PAC.

"They clearly came down on the side of the thoroughbred industry to say that this mine - the economic benefits of this mine - were not in the public interest at the expense of a long-term agricultural industry," he said.

Mr Collins said jobs in the agricultural industry were long-term ones, while mining jobs are short-term.

Anglo American have been especially critical of the PAC, saying it was costing hundreds of jobs in the region.