The company has raised concerns over planning system of New South Wales states in Australia following the Land and Environment Court’s move to disapprove coal mine expansion. The NSW Department of Planning had approved the extension for the mine following the assessment and regulatory processes spanned over two and half years.
Responding to the judgement, Coal & Allied acting managing director Darren Yeates stated that the outcome is a setback for the mine and it also resulted in the loss of thousands of jobs amidst difficult economical conditions for country’s coal industry.
"The fact it has now taken three and a half years to get an outcome on this project and that it can be overturned notwithstanding a rigorous government process shows that the planning system is failing to deliver timely and predictable outcomes.
"This is significantly obstructing investment and job creation in New South Wales," elaborated Yeates.
The mine extension was challenged by residents of Bulga village teaming up with NSW Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) to safeguard heritage listed Wallaby Scrub Road that was included in extension project.
"We will now need to conduct a review of this judgement to determine our options."
"We will also undertake a thorough review into the viability of the Mount Thorley Warkworth operation," revealed Yeates.
