Wingecarribee Shire Council's interim administrator Viv May has welcomed the state's Independent Planning Commission's decision to block plans for a new coal mine in Berrima.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"This is fabulous news for the shire and of great relief to many residents," he said.
Mr May said the decision came after more than a decade of community action.
"It's been a marathon effort on behalf of all involved and I commend everyone for their grit and perseverance," he said.
The interim administrator also acknowledged the advocacy undertaken by previous terms of the council.
"The council agrees with the findings from the whole-of-government assessment by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment and is pleased the Independent Planning Commission has reached the same conclusion," Mr May said.
The applicant, Hume Coal Pty Ltd, had sought planning approval to extract approximately 50 million tonnes of run of-mine coal over 23 years from a new underground mine seven kilometres northwest of Moss Vale.
A rail loop line had also been earmarked for the site to enable transport of coal to Port Kembla.
Wingecarribee Shire Council had submitted a formal submission to the Independent Planning Commission opposing the proposal.
"The council fully agrees with the Independent Planning Commission's statement that the benefits of the project do not outweigh the adverse environmental, social and economic impacts proposed," Mr May said.
The Commission's full Statement of Reasons for the decision is available at www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/projects/2021/06/hume-coal-project-and-berrima-rail-project-ssd-7172-and-ssd-7171- second-referral
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark our website
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Google News
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking news and regular newsletters