Springsure Creek Coal Mine put on backburner by governmentHave...

Springsure Creek Coal Mine put on backburner by government
Have your say » 10th Apr 2013 10:06 AM
STORY TOOLS



Use this content
BANDANNA Energy's billion- dollar Springsure Creek coal project, south-east of Emerald, has been temporarily exiled into no-man's land by the State Government.

Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney has used the Central Highlands Regional Plan, not due out until the end of the year, as the reason to delay any approvals for the proposed underground mine in the Golden Triangle stratgic cropping zone until 2014.

A bewildered Bandanna is now in the environmental impact statement phase of the development, and insiders say it was caught unawares by Mr Seeney's move.

"Bandanna has already changed the design of the Springsure Creek project to meet the goal of the LNP policy to protect strategic cropping land," the company said in a statement.



"We see no reason to delay one of the few coal projects still proceeding, in the process sacrificing much-needed investment and jobs.



"We know people expect well-managed coexistence so they can have both local agriculture and the jobs and economic opportunity projects like this provide.

"We have sought to set a new benchmark in response to the LNP policy-setting, and there has been no suggestion to us of any delays in the timeframe or the rigorous approvals process that applies to all projects."

Bandanna managing director Michael Gray was overseas and unavailable for comment.

The Central Highlands draft regional plan is expected to be released for public consultation in July.

Mr Seeney this week urged people to have their say on the supplementary environmental impact statement for Waratah Coal's China First Galilee Coal Project west of Alpha.