Australian New Zealand Government Approves Coal Mine Project Against Environmental Protection

The NSW Planning and Evaluation Committee (NSWPAC) approved the passage of the Maules Creek coal mine development project. However, the decision of the New Zealand government was criticized by the provincial Labor Party, the Green Party and the environmental protection community, and has inspired public anger.

The NSW Planning and Evaluation Committee stated that this project will be mined in mid-2013 if it is finally approved by the federal government.

Tony Haggarty, the project manager, believes that the development of this mine will benefit local economic development and the economic development of New Zealand. He said: “This is one of the best coal mine development projects in the world. There are a lot of high-quality coal mines here. Reserves are also hot coal types in the market; due to the large reserves and long life of coal mines, the exploitable area will be very large."

Khartei stated that New Zealand has imposed stringent environmental conditions on the development of this coal mine.

New Zealand's environmental protection community believes that the provincial government approves this coal mine development project and proves that the government has failed to fully safeguard its important environmental resources policies.

According to Pepe Clarke, president of the NSW Conservation Committee, “The Black Haven coal project will destroy about 2,000 acres of national parks and destroy the 26 critical habitats on the verge of extinction. It will leave a permanent gap of several hundred meters deep in the area, which will also have a profound impact on the irreplaceable groundwater resources in the region."

Both New Labor Party and Green Party accused the provincial coalition government of this decision. The Greens said that the coalition party had pledged to prevent the development of sensitive areas in the province during the election campaign. The approval of this project was a failure of the provincial government's land use policy.

Environmentalist PhilSpark stated that the development of the mine was a destruction of plants and animals in the local forest. He said: “My biggest concern is that the environmental factors are completely underestimated on this issue. We cannot destroy the forest and think this can be done. Get compensated."

A group called "The Coalition Against Coal Mines" said they will establish a 82-day camp in the local Leard State Forest.

Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke said the project is subject to rigorous review by the federal government. The Ministry of Environment will examine the potential impact of this coal mine project on nearby forest lands in danger from sustainable development, environment, water use, population and community.

Once the assessment by the Ministry of Environment is completed, an independent environmental experts committee will make observations on the impact of the project on local water sources and listen to public opinions.