The Land and Environment Court has agreed to allow Groundswell Gloucester to be a part of the defence in Gloucester Resources Limited (GRL)’s appeal against the Rocky Hill Mine decision.
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The proposed Rocky Hill Coal Mine project has been a topic in the Gloucester community for close to 12 years and it appears the outcome is still a way off.
Before Christmas the Planning Assessment Commission (PAC), independent of the NSW Minister for Planning Anthony Roberts, decided to reject Gloucester Resources Limited (GRL) development application to build a new coal mine on the edge of town.
Groundswell Gloucester has engaged the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) to act on its behalf to join the case defending the PAC’s rejection of the application; a decision GRL has opposed.
GRL’s opposition was heard during a full-day in the Land and Environment Court on Friday, April 20, where, according to the EDO, GRL argued the court should not hear from climate science and social impact experts in considering whether to approve the mine.
“Our client (Groundswell Gloucester) is allowed into court, and they are allowed to bring in climate science experts to present evidence on the mine’s contribution to climate change; they are also allowed to present expert evidence of the mine’s detrimental impacts of dust and noise on the community, as well as how it will fracture the social fabric of Gloucester,” EDO NSW chief executive officer David Morris said.
Groundswell Gloucester chair Julie Lyford said the group decided to be a part of defending the PAC’s decision to ensure the court hears from climate science and social impact experts on the matter.
The group is planning to hold a public meeting in the few weeks in order to provide an update about what has been happening in regard to the appeal and also to talk about fundraising.
Ms Lyford explained how the group will need to raise $25,000 to $35,000 to help cover the costs of being a part of the case.
GRL has been contacted for comment but had not responded as at the time of press.
The case has been listed for hearing in the Land and Environment Court from August 13 to 31, 2018.