5 February 2021
The NSW Independent Planning Commission has rejected a proposal to expand a coal mine into regions under a major drinking water catchment, saying the project represented an unacceptable risks to key drinking water supplies.
South32 had sought approval to undertake a $956 million expansion of the Dendrobium coal mine into regions under the Avon and Cordeaux Dams, to extract an additional 78 million tonnes of coal from the mine.
The proposal had received the endorsement of the NSW Department of Planning, but after reviewing the proposal, the NSW Independent Planning Commission decided to reject the mine expansion, citing unmitigated impacts on water supplies for Sydney and the Illawarra region.
South32 wants to extend its mine into two new areas adjacent to Avon and Cordeaux Dams thereby extending the mine’s life until 2048 and extracting an additional 78 million tonnes of coal.
There is strong opposition to the mine’s expansion, including from local and state environment groups, Water NSW, the Independent Advisory Panel on Underground Mining (IAPUM) and climate scientist Tim Flannery. Many gave evidence at the IPC public hearings in December.
Water NSW opposes the mine’s expansion because of the expected damage to water quality and quantity. It said 25 swamps would be affected by the diversion of water caused by subsidence and cracking.
South32 wants to extend its mine into two new areas adjacent to Avon and Cordeaux Dams thereby extending the mine’s life until 2048 and extracting an additional 78 million tonnes of coal.
There is strong opposition to the mine’s expansion, including from local and state environment groups, Water NSW, the Independent Advisory Panel on Underground Mining (IAPUM) and climate scientist Tim Flannery. Many gave evidence at the IPC public hearings in December.
Water NSW opposes the mine’s expansion because of the expected damage to water quality and quantity. It said 25 swamps would be affected by the diversion of water caused by subsidence and cracking.