A further question mark hangs over the future of Illawarra coal mining after the government scrapped a planning rule change that specified economic benefit was the main consideration for a project’s approval.
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Embattled mining company Wollongong Coal has two applications with NSW Planning – for an expansion of underground operations at its Russell Vale mine and an extension of its Wongawilli Colliery mine permit until 2020.
Both applications boast of economic credentials and how many jobs they will deliver the region.
On Tuesday, the state government released a draft amendment to the mining state environmental planning policy (SEPP), which removes a provision making a mine’s economic benefits the ‘‘principal consideration’’ when determining projects. The provision was only added in 2013.
‘‘The protection of the environment and the promotion of the social and economic welfare of the community have always been objects of planning legislation,’’ Planning Minister Rob Stokes said.
‘‘The careful deliberation of environmental, economic and social issues is fundamental to good planning.
‘‘This proposed amendment reflects the importance of balance in assessing the likely impacts of mining developments.’’
Opposition spokesman for the Illawarra Ryan Park agreed a ‘‘good balance’’ was needed.
Mr Park said he would explore the amendment in detail, particularly given the region had already been hit hard by job losses.
The NSW Minerals Council says the proposal to remove economic considerations will cost jobs and hurt regional mining communities.
‘‘This is a retrograde step that will hurt NSW. It will put at risk thousands of current and potential jobs, particularly in regional mining communities where unemployment is often well above the state average,” chief executive Stephen Galilee said.
‘‘Getting the balance right is important, but you can’t have viable communities and a clean environment without a strong economy.
Mr Galilee said there were ‘‘thousands of mining jobs hanging in the balance in NSW, caught up in the state planning system’’ and the government had to ensure the changes wouldn’t affect projects close to completing the assessment process.
A complete review of the mining SEPP is under way and will be subject to public consultation later this year.
