I agree things change. Australia has managed to destroy its...

I agree things change. Australia has managed to destroy its industry and revenue generating plays. There is more and more pressure to sign up to treaties that are not favourable to our current comfort and lifestyle, right or wrong. One of our largest export models - foreign students is completely shot to pieces. We have very few tricks up our sleaves left, digging stuff up and farming.
There will be many externalities both positive and negative with the Hillside mine. The more desperate and impoverished as a nation we become, the more we need these projects to come on line and replace revenue lost. Noses will be out of joint, it always happens.
Not counting the chickens, however expect this bird to lay a few eggs.