A LEGAL challenge to a coal mine expansion in the NSW Hunter Valley is being hailed as a test case.
Rio Tinto's proposed Warkworth coal mine will involve the destruction of 574 hectares of woodland which is home to the endangered squirrel glider, the Nature Conservation Council (NCC) of NSW says.
Residents in the small township of Bulga were challenging the mine expansion in the NSW Land and Environment Court in Sydney on Monday.
About 25 people held a demonstration outside, arguing the destruction of the woodland separating the town from the existing mine would expose them to more coal dust.
NCC chief executive Pepe Clark said the woodland was home to 17 threatened species and its eradication would test a 2003 NSW law requiring miners to put aside environmentally-sensitive offset land in any expansion.
The Australian
No comments:
Post a Comment