The decision is out... the federal government has given the Shenhua Watermark mine the green light.
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While the federal government says the project has been approved with “18 of the absolute toughest, strictest conditions in Australia’s history”, the fallout has already begun.
RELATED COVERAGE: Joyce speaks out against Watermark
Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt announced on Wednesday the $1.2 billion Shenhua Watermark coal mine was approved subject to “the absolute toughest, strictest conditions in Australian history”.
The decision, which is the last major hurdle in Shenhua’s six-year battle to go ahead with its Breeza mine, unleashed a storm of protest.
* Do you agree with the federal government's approval of the mine? Take our poll here.
“Shenhua” became the top tweet across the country, and the mine dominated nationwide news.
The announcement provoked a wail of protest from the federal government’s own Minister for Agriculture, Member for New England Barnaby Joyce.
“I’ve said publicly and privately I don’t support this mine,” Mr Joyce said.
“I still don’t support this mine and that will remain forever-more my view.
“I think the world has gone mad when apparently you cannot build a house at Moore Creek because of White Box grassy woodlands but you can build a super mine in the middle of the Breeza plains.”
Mr Hunt denied he had left Mr Joyce out to dry, saying the conditions meant mining on the blacksoil plains was prohibited.
He also said the conditions included a “stop work” power if Shenhua was found to be flouting the rules, and the company could only use 0.1 per cent of the available water resources.
Former independent politician Tony Windsor has already indicated he may make a comeback at the next election following the decision.
Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said he was calling for Shenhua’s answers as soon as possible.
“I have already spoken to [Shenhua Watermark project manager] Paul Jackson,” Mr Anderson said yesterday.
“I want him to tell me how he envisages employing the Gunnedah workforce.”
Mr Anderson said he had made his position clear ahead of the NSW election that he wanted to protect the blacksoil plains, but wanted to find a balance with creating jobs and “growing” the region.
“I took that message to the election and the polling booths at Mullaley, Tambar Springs, Gunnedah and Curlewis clearly told me that was what they wanted,” Mr Anderson said.
Gunnedah and District Chamber of Commerce president Ann Luke said the chamber was supportive of mining.
“This has been ratified by two surveys of our members and the wider business community over the last 18 months which indicate that approximately 75 per cent of our members are in favour of increased mining and the positive benefits it can bring to the town and their businesses,” she said.
“It is a long-awaited announcement of the federal government to give the green light to the Shenhua mining project.
“We can only have faith in the state and federal governments processes to ensure that our vital agricultural industries and water will not be adversely affected.
“There has been an excessive and warranted rigour in the testing, assessments and conditions placed on the development.”
Ms Luke said the chamber also supported the strong role of agriculture in the region.
Gunnedah mayor Owen Hasler said yesterday the decision would allow some certainty for Shenhua and the community.
“It appears there has been a very comprehensive review of environmental factors,” Cr Hasler said.
“There are very, very strict conditions.
“They have the power to close the mine down if they are perceived to have breached any of the conditions.
“I think the community would support the very strict conditions and I believe there have been very robust reviews by independent experts and the Independent Expert Scientific Committee. I don’t know what more people could ask for.”
Under a voluntary planning agreement that would come into effect when construction starts, the Gunnedah Shire stands to benefit from $18 million from Shenhua.
NSW Farmers said yesterday the move would turn the food bowl into coal, and said members were “devastated” with the decision.
* Read the Namoi Valley Independent editorial on the Watermark issue here.
