POLL: Wollongong Coal's controversial bid to expand underground operations at its Russell Vale mine has been blocked amid calls for better evidence about its potential impact on the drinking water catchment.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The independent Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) released its review report for the project on Friday, finding the plan required "more work and assessment" before it could be determined.
In choosing neither to approve or reject the proposal, the PAC noted it simply did not, at this stage, have "sufficient information or confidence" to determine its merits.
It said it considered the likelihood of the plan causing "significant detrimental impact" on the catchment to be low, but noted the consequence if it did occur would be "substantial and irreversible".
Wollongong Coal, formerly Gujarat NRE Coking Coal, had requested permission to expand operations to its Wonga East area, seeking to extract 4.7 million tonnes of coal from eight new longwall mines over five years.
The proposal would allow mining near the Cataract Reservoir, which provides drinking water for the Illawarra, Sydney and Blue Mountains.
The plan caused a flood of concern from environmental groups, Illawarra residents and Wollongong City Council, about the effects of mining on the coastal swamps and the catchment.
After dozens of submissions to the Planning Department, former minister Pru Goward ordered the PAC to review the application in December last year.
She asked commissioners to pay particular attention to the project's potential impact on upland swamps and water resources, along with noise and air emissions affecting nearby homes.
The PAC's report noted advice from several bodies including the Dams Safety Committee and Water NSW, had been "consistently critical of the residual uncertainties and risks" relating to Wollongong Coal's plans and its potential impact on the catchment.
Water NSW, formerly the Sydney Catchment Authority, was particularly worried about the risks of water and quality loss.
The PAC noted the miner had provided documents in response to the concerns but they had not been able to "satisfy the residual concerns sufficiently to provide confidence the catchment would be protected to the level expected".
It recognised the project would provide up to five years' employment for the mine's existing workforce, along with associated economic benefits for the region, but noted its proximity to the drinking water catchment posed "particular risks and challenges".
The PAC said an integrated risk assessment and the development of mitigation strategies, focusing on risks to groundwater, surface water and subsidence impacts, were needed.
It also recommended further consideration of noise impacts, including justification for recommended increases in noise levels from the project's 2011 approval, along with air quality and traffic impacts.
The PAC also advised the establishment of a risk assessment panel, chaired by an independent expert, to oversee the extra work needed before a determination was made.
The release of Friday's report followed a heated public meeting in February where nearly 60 speakers addressed the commission, most noting their strong opposition to the plan.
The PAC concluded that a plan, or a modified version, could be given the green light if issues in the review, including the protection of the water quality and quantity in the catchment, were satisfied.
A Wollongong Coal spokesperson told the Mercury the miner had received the report and was working closely with the Department of Planning and the NSW government on the recommendations.
The report comes as the miner seeks to yet again shed jobs.
The Mercury revealed late last month that voluntary redundancies had been offered to workers.
Employees had until Friday to decide if they would take redundancy.
