The Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association is outraged today at the
Department of Planning's recommendation the Drayton South mine should be
approved.
"It beggars belief that the Department of Planning continues to support
this proposal against the expert advice of 3 independent PACs and the NSW
Gateway Panel. The only people who have ever thought this project was
approvable are either working for Anglo American or the Department of Planning.
This is also against a backdrop where the mine's owners have rendered it as
"non core" and put it up for sale. In the meantime, we are left with
uncertainty for the protection and future of our industry" Dr Collins HTBA
President said.
"What is extraordinary about the Department's position is that it is
prepared to allow the sacrifice of a sustainable long-term industry for the
sake of one mine whose future is unknown.
In doing so, the Department relies on economic "theories" that have no
application in the realities of our industry and betray a breathtaking
ignorance of the thoroughbred breeding industry" Dr Collins said.
"Enough is enough. We have lost confidence in a Department that is prepared to
continually support mining proposals contrary to expert and independent PAC
advice. Premier Baird and Planning Minister Stokes need to take control of this
matter. End the charade, end the
uncertainty and deliver on the protections to the equine industry the NSW
Coalition promised in 2012." Dr Collins said.
The HTBA now calls on Premier Baird and Minister Stokes to immediately
implement the recommendations made by the PAC in November last year to
safeguard Australia's nationally and internationally important thoroughbred
breeding industry through appropriate buffers, exclusionary zones or
preservation measures.
"We and the community of the Upper Hunter have been through six long years of
assessment; two applications for a mine that is not in the public interest; and
3 refusals by 3 PACs. We need a
guarantee from the NSW Government that we will have a future and will be able
to invest in our future without the threat posed by mining."
"We need leadership, not heads in the sand from Government. Premier Baird and
Minister Stokes need to step up. The time has come for them to intervene,
reject this mine, protect our industry and put an end to the land use conflict
in the Hunter Valley." Dr Collins said.