By Alex Bainbridge
HUNTER VALLEY — The NSW Labor government has announced its intention to legislate to protect a polluting industry, this time the proposed Bengalla coal mine near Muswellbrook.
The State Environmental Planning (Permissible Mining) Bill, introduced on June 18, will enable mining to proceed despite adverse environmental consequences. While the government is defending its actions on the grounds that "stringent" environmental standards will need to be met, the legislation specifically overrules all other planning policies.
Rosemount Estate, a nearby winery, has opposed the establishment of the Bengalla mine for several years on the grounds that pollution will affect its vineyards. Greenpeace, horse breeders and people concerned about water quality have also been opposed.
The legislation would also open the way for several other mining projects in the region. Activists from the Tomago Sandbeds Action Group, for example, believe that the outcome of a Land and Environment Court hearing next month on sand mining at Tomago sand beds may now be overruled.