NSW Farmers President Fiona Simson was delighted to hear that NuCoal would stay off Appletree Flat farmer Ian Moore’s property – but questioned whether the move would ultimately prove to be merely the tip of the iceberg in a litany of mining and land use issues.
“I’m so delighted that at last common sense and decency have prevailed and it’s fantastic news for the Moore’s, but how come they are still continuing to explore on other land pending an ICAC review into the granting of the whole licence,” she said.
“It’s extraordinary that NuCoal is able to continue exploration activity when there is an ICAC inquiry pending.
“Some of other landowners who have signed access agreements with NuCoal might like to have those agreements revisited, in light of this decision,” Mrs Simson said.
“And what happens to the exploration licence, anyway, if the ICAC review comes out and says it was awarded illegally. It could call into question the granting of a whole lot of other exploration licences, in my opinion.”
NuCoal resumed trading this morning, having suspended trading last week after Mr Hartcher asked NuCoal to consider suspending all exploration activities.
The award of the coal exploration licence by former Mineral Resources Minister, Ian Macdonald was formally referred to ICAC last week by a resolution of NSW Parliament following an independent review finding that there had been “a circumstantial case of wrongdoing and a breach of public trust”.
Mr Hartcher said in a letter to NuCoal said there was considerable interest and concern in the community related to the granting of the licence and the company’s exploration activities.
“In view of these concerns, and in view of the ICAC investigation currently underway, I have invited NuCoal to consider suspending all exploration activity pending the findings and recommendations of ICAC,” he said in a statement last week.
In the wake of today’s decision, Greens MLC Jeremy Buckingham called on NuCoal’s operations to be entirely suspended until the ICAC investigation into the granting of the initial licence was completed.
“The Greens are very pleased that Ian and Robyn Moore’s fight to protect their farm has been won and shows the value in farmers standing up to the big miners and locking the gate," Mr Buckingham said in a statement.
“While one farm has been protected, many others are at risk from this coal mine and all NuCoal’s exploration activities should be suspended until the ICAC investigation is complete.
"It is a pity that the Moores have been dragged through arbitration, had to go to court, and faced such stress and uncertainty to get to this point.
“The Moore’s case highlights the need for the government’s Strategic Regional Land Use Policy to offer widespread protection for productive agricultural areas, water resources and sensitive environmental areas,” he said.
Speaking earlier on the issue, Mr Buckingham, who has been one of the key protagonists in the debate, said "The NuCoal project has had a stench about it from day one”.
"Mr Moore's fight to honour his pledge to his father to "look after the place" is highly commendable and deserves the support of government, even if this particular action has been initiated by the ICAC Inquiry,” he said.
