THE NSW Department of Planning has recommended refusal of the controversial Rocky Hill open cut coal mine on the approaches to Gloucester.
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The potential impacts to the community and environment were “too great” for the project to be recommended, the department’s resource assessments and compliance executive director, Dr Oliver Holm, said in a statement on Monday.
“The proposed project site is not suitable for an open cut coal mine. It is just too close to residential areas. There are many important matters that simply cannot be resolved, such as significant visual, noise and social impacts and risks to water quality,” Dr Holm said.
In its statement the department said many additional residents would be affected by noise emissions if the proposed noise mitigation proved ineffective.
The department has referred the proposal to the Planning Assessment Commission for final determination, with a department assessment report recommending refusal.
The decision follows years of vocal opposition from Gloucester residents who oppose the mine, only one kilometre from the southern fringes of Gloucester.
The development application for the original project was exhibited in late 2013 and of 1744 submissions, about 90 per cent were objections, including from several agencies.
Rocky Hill Mine proponent Gloucester Resources amended the proposal by reducing operating hours, removing coal processing infrastructure and committing to fill its proposed mining void.
When the project was exhibited again there were another 2570 submissions from the community, with 2308 objections.
In July more than 200 people attended a public “call to arms” meeting organised by Groundswell Gloucester, which called on the Berejiklian Government to refuse the mine and rescind all exploration licences held by Gloucester Resources.
Groundswell Gloucester founder Julie Lyford said the department’s refusal recommendation was “a massive relief”.
“Congratulations to the Department of Planning for getting it right and for listening to the people,” she said.
“For the Gloucester community this is wonderful news. I look forward to the Planning Assessment Commission following through on the recommendation.”
Gloucester Groundswell member Graeme Healy said the department’s refusal recommendation was “fantastic news”.
“This is extremely good news for the community and it’s also important because to our knowledge this is the first time the Department of Planning has recommended refusing a mine,” Mr Healy said.
“The department has said exactly what Groundswell Gloucester has been saying for a long time.”
The Planning Assessment Commission will set a date for a public hearing to determine the matter.
