Andrew Aylward of Opteon (Central West NSW) discusses the growing concern associated with the development of mining projects on prime agricultural land.
On 6 March 2012 the NSW Minister for Planning and Infrastructure released a draft Regional Land – Use Policy and Regional Land – Use Plans for the Upper Hunter and New England North West Regions. In the media release the Minister indicated:
“This is the first time in the State’s history that strategic agricultural land has been mapped, made available and given greater protection from Mining proposals”.
The Minister indicated that the policy will provide:-
“Improve certainty for the States important resources industry, by establishing clear rules and transparent assessment process.”
Under the plan major mining and Coal Seam Gas production proposals on, or within 2km of mapped ‘strategic agricultural land’ will need to go through a stringent new ‘Gateway’ process. This will involve an independent scientific panel with the power to say ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ as to whether the proposal can get to the Development Application stage.
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Opteon Property
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