COAL mining company Idemitsu Australia Resources has today responded to “incorrect claims” made by an activist involved in an illegal protest staged at the Boggabri Coal Mine site.
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Idemitsu Australia Resources Chief Operating Officer, Rod Bridges, said that as part of State and Federal Government approval conditions, Boggabri Coal had acquired biodiversity offsets which are protected in perpetuity and include significant White Box Woodland.
“The biodiversity offsets aim to counter balance our operations, which will impact 623 hectares of the White Box Woodland, as identified in our approved Biodiversity Management Plan,” Mr Bridges said.
“Our biodiversity offsets include more than 2000 hectares of White Box Woodland and we have plans to acquire an additional 1000 hectares of the same community, as part of our commitment to protecting the region’s biodiversity.
“An independent audit for the Federal Government confirmed more than
1500 hectares of this is ‘like for like’ vegetation.
“We will also have an additional 1400 hectares which is lower grade and will be rehabilitated through supplementary planting and assisted natural regeneration, and maintained in accordance with our Biodiversity Management Plan.
“We have met our requirements under Federal and State Government approval conditions and the claim our biodiversity offsets have not been independently reviewed is not correct.”
Under section nine of the Federal Government approval conditions, Boggabri Coal is required to submit a separate independent assessment of the quality and quantity of habitat for the Regent
Honeyeater, Swift Parrot and Greater Long-Eared Bat within the biodiversity offsets.
“A separate independent audit of our biodiversity offsets found Boggabri Coal has exceeded the habitat area required for the Greater Long-eared Bat, the Regent Honeyeater and Swift Parrot by more than 450 per cent, and the report was approved by the Federal Government,” Mr Bridges said.
“All of our environmental activities are conducted to the highest professional standards.
“While we respect the right of individuals to express their viewpoint, the community should not be misled by incorrect statements which are misrepresented as facts.”
