The project, which lies near rich agricultural land and has met with opposition from local landholders, was the subject of a scientific assessment by environmental and technical experts over two years.
The Department of Planning and Infrastructure required the EIS to specifically consider potential impacts on soil capability and agriculture, as well as impacts on water resources, biodiversity, heritage, air quality, noise, traffic and visual amenity.
Paul Jackson, project manager for Shenhua Watermark, believes the 3000-plus page EIS is one of the most thorough and rigorous assessments undertaken in NSW.
“We have invested considerable resources and time to ensure the project is compatible with the environmental values of the area, and the proposal now on display has been refined following extensive discussion and input from the local community, scientific experts and government agencies,” he said.
“This mine plan allows the national, regional and local benefits of coal mining to be unlocked while ensuring strict environmental management measures are in place to preserve the local environment.”
All of the scientific studies contained in the EIS were peer reviewed by leading independent experts in their fields, Jackson said.
“This EIS demonstrates that if our project is approved, that we can and will mine in an environmentally responsible manner with negligible impact on the environment,” he said.
“This is an exciting project for the region that will deliver significant jobs and investment over the long term.
“We look forward to continuing to work closely with the community to ensure the benefits of this project are realised in a balanced and responsible way.”
Shenhua Watermark received the department of planning director-general’s requirements (DGRs) for the project on April 19 outlining the key areas that must be addressed as part of the EIS.
The DGRs were prepared in consultation with relevant government agencies, with input from the Watermark Community Consultative Committee and NSW Farmers Association.
The DGRs also refer to the NSW government’s new Strategic Regional Land Use Policy.
Shenhua Watermark had prepared a submission on the draft Strategic Regional Land Use Policy (SRLUP) outlining its major concerns about a number of key aspects of the draft policy, including the “gateway process”, which has the power to reject a proposed mining development prior to the full development application and environmental assessment process.
The department of planning developed a policy that set out the interim arrangements for mining proposals on strategic agricultural land until the draft SRLUP was finalised.
This policy required Shenhua to prepare an Agricultural Impact Statement as part of its development application and EIS that specifically assesses the impacts of the proposal on strategic agricultural land, having regard to the draft gateway criteria as set out in the draft SRLUP.
The Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Populations and Communities have also determined that the project will also require approval under the Environmental Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
