[Greens-Media] Media release: Mines trump communities and the environment with O’Farrell’s new policy

[David Shoebridge]

29 July 2013

Media Release: Mines trump communities and the environment with O’Farrell’s new policy



The O’Farrell government’s proposed new mining policy turns its back on ecologically sustainable development and in doing so delivers a gift to the big miners and an ongoing attack on this State’s environment.



NSW Greens MP and Planning Spokesperson David Shoebridge said: “This mining policy is a gift to the big miners and an attack on the environment and regional and rural communities who stand in their way.



“This proposed mining policy rejects ecologically sustainable development principles and once again sees the O’Farrell government ignoring the environmental and social impacts of development.



“Just like their other proposed changes to planning, the O’Farrell government is putting economic growth ahead of a sensible and balanced consideration of the full impacts of mining.



“The economic benefits of any mine are already a key part of the decision making process, what this policy plans to do is make dollars trump the environment on every occasion.



“In the last three years only a handful of mines have been rejected due to their environmental or social impacts, but even one win for the environment seems too much for this government.



“The Planning Assessment Commission has no genuine independence; no resources or employees and is wholly dependent on the advice it receives from the Planning Department to make decisions.



“Perversely this policy proposes that the bigger, the uglier and the deeper the hole that the mining industry wants to create the more likely it is it will be approved.



“Remarkably, under this proposal even where the negative environmental and social impacts of the proposal substantially outweigh any economic benefits a mine can still be approved.



“The Greens are urging all members of the public to let their voice be heard in the coming weeks in support of balanced decision making on mining that reflects ecologically sustainable development” Mr Shoebridge said.



More information: 9230 3030





David Shoebridge

Greens MP in the NSW Legislative Council

P: (02) 9230 3030 |Media: 0433 753 376 |T: @ShoebridgeMLC<http://twitter.com/#!/shoebridgemlc>

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