THE amended development application for the Wallarah 2 coalmine near Wyong would bring a coal conveyor belt too close to homes at Blue Haven, the NSW Greens said this week.
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Greens NSW mining spokesperson Jeremy Buckingham renewed calls for Premier Mike Baird to intervene to stop the coalmine.
He said the community had not forgotten the “solemn promise” from former premier Barry O’Farrell to stop the coalmine.
“This coalmine is a risk not only to the water catchment of the Central Coast, but to the credibility of the Liberal Party when it makes commitments to the electorate,” Mr Buckingham said.
“It should fulfill those commitments and reject the mine.”
The Korean-owned mining company Kores recently lodged an amended development application for the coalmine that sidesteps the need to access land owned by Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council.
Mr Buckingham said the changes would not deliver a better outcome.
“The proposed coal conveyor belt and coal loading area are unacceptably close to the existing residential neighbourhood of Blue Haven and may impact on plans by the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council for residential development in the area,” he said.
“There is no need to build this coalmine. The community are bitterly opposed. The company doesn’t want to build it, it just wants an approval to sell. It’s a dud mine, with no future that Mike Baird should knock on the head.”
Central Coast Council, meanwhile, said concerns about the effect on the drinking water catchment, environment and residential areas would be central to its review of modified plans for the Wallarah 2 project.
The former Wyong Shire Council opposed the mine in 2014 due to the potential impacts on the drinking water catchment areas.
“Council will closely review the revised plans with a view to lodging a submission,” a spokesperson said.
Public submissions close on September 5.
