A legal application by the Bylong Valley Protection Alliance to become a full party in the court case to defend the planning decision rejecting an open cut coal mine in the Bylong Valley has succeeded.
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The community group, represented by the Environmental Defenders Office, will now be able to challenge the coal company evidence in court.
KEPCO is appealing last year's ruling by the Independent Planning Commission to refuse a new open cut coal mine.
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EDO chief executive David Morris welcomed the court decision to admit the alliance as a full party in court.
"This local community was so relieved when the IPC refused the mine last year, but will now have to fight to keep that outcome, and we've very pleased to be able to facilitate that opportunity," he said.
"This local community was so relieved when the IPC refused the mine last year, but will now have to fight to keep that outcome, and we've very pleased to be able to facilitate that opportunity."
The original ruling made by the IPC in September last year found the risks posed by the proposed coal mine to water, land, and future generations through its contribution to climate change were too great.
The case will be heard in the Land and Environment Court from 24 to 27 August 2020.
