‘The Commission found that substantial doubt persists about the benefits and impacts of the Bylong Coal Project’.
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That’s the closing comments from the Planning and Assessment Commission in a report released this week.
The $1.5 billion project is proposed for a greenfield mine located in the lower reaches of the Bylong Valley, about 55 kilometres north east of Mudgee.
KEPCO Australia put forward the application to develop an open cut and underground thermal coal mine, producing 90 million tonnes of coal for export over a 23-year period.
After public hearings and submissions, the PAC returned a scathing report identifying ‘uncertainty and incomplete information about the risks and benefits of the project’.
The review outlines that there is uncertainty regarding the availability of water resources to satisfy the potential needs for the project, while sustaining other land uses; risks associated with proposed agricultural impact mitigation strategies; the potential for greater heritage significance than previously assessed for the Tarwyn Park and Iron Tank properties; limited scope for addressing the social impacts of the project.
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The Commission found that the ‘landscape of the valley would be substantially and permanently altered’.
KEPCO Australia has released a statement saying they are, “fully committed to the Bylong Coal Project” and they “will thoroughly review the findings.”
Lock the Gate Alliance is now calling on the NSW Premier to step in and stop the project.
