‘Captured’ by coal: NSW government overturns decision to block mine expansion
by Adam Morton Climate and environment editor from on (#5SQ33)
Decision to reject Dendrobium plans has been reversed despite potential damage to drinking water
The New South Wales government has been accused of being captured" by the coal industry after it overturned a planning commission decision to block a mine expansion that it found could cause irreversible damage to drinking water and release significant heat-trapping gas.
The deputy premier, Paul Toole, and planning minister, Rob Stokes, declared on Saturday the Dendrobium mine expansion near Wollongong - proposed by BHP spin-off South32 - was state significant infrastructure" due to its role providing coal for the Port Kembla steelworks.
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