GUNNEDAH Shire Council will make its feelings known about Whitehaven Coal’s proposed Vickery Coal Mine expansion in the coming days.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Councillors moved to make a submission to the projects environmental impact statement (EIS) following lengthy consultation.
The submission will be made by the council’s general manger Eric Groth, after lengthy consultation with councillors and staff.
Cr Ann Luke said she was in favour of the council making a submission.
“I have full faith in the general manager,” Cr Luke said.
“I am confident that what will go into the submission will be reflective of the views made by the councillors.”
Read Also:
Discussions regarding the submission came after a presentation from Boggabri resident Errol Darley.
Mr Darley shared his concerns about the proposed expansion.
“I have spoken to many people about this issue,” Mr Darley said.
“To be clear we are not opposed to mining, however with this expansion some people are now only a couple of kilometres away from the mine.
“To us that is just unacceptable.”
The concern of nearby rivers flooding was also brought to the council’s attention.
“As far as I am aware there is no detail in the EIS concerning the construction of the railway that is proposed to run through the expansion,” Mr Darley said.
“There is no detail therefore about protection from nearby rivers flooding.
“In my experience I have seen flooding on both sides of the proposed railway line.
“It would good to know what kind of materials they will be using, so as to help ease any concerns regarding flooding.”
Mr Darley said the community would continue to bring its issues to the fore.
“We are very concerned about Whitehaven Coal,” he said.
“With all of these issues and others in mind, we as a community will put forward a submission reflecting our concerns and continue to push our concerns forward.”