Overwhelming Objections to Dartbrook

MORE than 1,500 submissions were made to the Independent Planning Commission for the Dartbrook Mine modifications near Aberdeen, with an estimated 95 percent lodged as objections.

According to the Commission there was “a late flood” of submissions during the final days.

Kirsty O’Connell, committee member of Friends of the Upper Hunter, which formed in March, said it shows how many local people are concerned about the modifications.

“When you read the submissions you can see how genuine people are, that it’s not a bunch of ratbag lefties, it’s people who are really concerned about their families,” said Ms O’Connell.

“One submission was from a lady who had already moved twice because her son was severely asthmatic, they moved to escape Mt Pleasant and moved to escape another mine and they chose to send their son to St Joseph’s because we thought he’d have better air quality than if he went to Muswellbrook High and now they are talking about reopening a mine there,” she said.

Australian Pacific Coal, owners of the Dartbrook Mine, have previously stated their intention is to make the mine an open cut operation, however the decision before the IPC is for modifications to the underground operation.

Kirsty O’Connell said the community is concerned about both types of operations.

“I think people are equally concerned about having an inexperienced operator on such a dangerous and complex underground mine, as they are about the future prospect of an open cut,” said Ms O’Connell.

“There were always issues in terms of spontaneous combustion, in terms of gas, in terms of flooding and a lot of people have raised concerns with water and the problems they had with wells the last time this mine operated,” she said.

“This is a really complex underground mine that goes under the Hunter River and you’re talking about a completely inexperienced company; they have only owned tenements, they have never operated an underground coal mine,” she said.

“When you are talking about a mine that has already claimed three lives that is really concerning,” she said.

“One of the huge benefits of mining is jobs, but it’s only valuable if it’s a safe job,” Kirsty O’Connell said.

The Commission typically makes a determination within 6 or 7 weeks of a matter being referred, however the process may take longer if the Commissioners request more information from the Department of Planning, the proponent or community members.

To read the submissions for the Dartbrook modifications visit the: IPC website.