The Australian breeding industry is celebrating after the NSW Planning Assessment Commission put an end to the Drayton South coal mine project.
Breeding superpowers Darley and Coolmore led the fight against the mining proposal and both international breeders said the decision gives "peace of mind” for the future.
The Drayton South coal project has been deemed to be not in the public interest with the future of nearby Coolmore and Woodlands (Darley) studs now secured.
NSW’s state planning commission have ruled against the Drayton South extension project which proposed an open cut coal mine within 500m of both Woodlands and Darley’s fence lines.
It brings to an end the three year dispute regarding the proposed extension of the Drayton South mine which jeopardised the future of the leading studs in the area.
The Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association have welcomed the news that the NSW PAC deemed the economic benefits of the project do not outweigh the potential demise of the Hunter Valley’s equine industry and that the project is not in the public interest.
“The Planning Assessment Commission determination demonstrates that the Government’s new process can protect our strategic agricultural industries, critical industry clusters and the health and welfare of our regional communities,” Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association (HTBA) President Cameron Collins said.
"The PAC determination comes at the end of a lengthy process that had the benefit of project specific assessment requirements and reports, public consultations and hearings and independent Planning Assessment Commission reviews and assessments that were carefully considered and determined.
”The Upper Hunter is a close and diverse community where all jobs and industries are valued. This has been a long and stressful process for all involved. We now look forward to building a sustainable future for our region. We hope that with better planning communities can be spared unnecessary land use conflicts and the stresses those conflicts impose.
"Today’s PAC determination reinforces the state, national and international importance of the Hunter Valley’s Thoroughbred Breeding Industry and the integral importance of our industry’s two central players, Coolmore and Darley. It also recognised that once damage is done to our key international studs it is irreversible.
"This is an important milestone. Without Coolmore and Darley the entire Hunter Thoroughbred Breeding Industry would be at risk. The PAC’s determination has averted that threat.
"Today’s decision reinforces the recommendations of two previous PACs and the Government’s Independent Gateway Panel that a mine in such close proximity to two international scale studs is an incompatible land use and not in the public interest.”
News of the ruling began to emerge yesterday with owner of Coolmore Australia Stud, Tom Magnier thankful the findings of the PAC report resulted in this decision.
“We are very relieved for our employees, their families, our clients and our community,” Magnier said.
"We are very relieved for our employees, their families, our clients and our community. It has shown that the process works, and for that we are very grateful,” Tom Magnier Coolmore Australia principle said.
Darley Australia managing director Henry Plumptre said "At a time when the thermal coal industry is in structural decline, it is important that we protect and preserve strategic and sustainable industries that will provide long term jobs and the prospects of continued long term regional growth for generations to come.”