mining application

this is the NSW planning and assessment application and deliberations. I've copied the Environmental report below and the direct link to the application

http://www.pac.nsw.gov.au/tabid/60/ctl/viewreview/mid/376/pac/109/view/readonly/myctl/rev/Default.aspx



7 CONCLUSION
The Department has carried out a detailed assessment of the merits of the project, in accordance with
the requirements of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act).
This assessment has found that, despite the residents of Majors Creek being in relatively close
proximity to the mine, the project would not result in significant noise, traffic, dust or visual amenity
impacts. However, the project would require the clearing of 27.3 ha of land and may impact on local
ground and surface water resources.
The Department has recommended a range of conditions to ensure that these impacts are suitably
mitigated, managed and/or offset. These conditions include requirements for BIM to:
� offset any loss of any baseflow to the surrounding watercourses;
� implement additional measures to minimise the dust, noise, blasting and visual impacts of the
project;
� develop and implement a biodiversity offset to ensure the project maintains and potentially
improves the biodiversity values of the region in the medium to long term;
� conserve the proposed offset biodiversity area in perpetuity;
� progressively rehabilitate the site;
� pay Council $997,000 for road upgrade works and community infrastructure improvements and
an additional $78,000 per annum for road maintenance works;
� monitor and regularly report on its environmental performance; and
� commission independent audits of its operations, to ensure that it is complying with its conditions
of approval and implementing best practice on site.
The Department�s assessment has also found that the project would provide economic and social
benefits to both the region and NSW, including:
� employment for up to 100 employees (during site establishment) and 80 employees (during
operation);
� a capital investment of $42 million; and
� royalties and payroll taxes for the State Government.
On balance, the Department believes that the project�s benefits sufficiently outweigh its residual costs
and that it is in the public interest and should therefore be approved subject to strict conditions.