"The PAC's decision on this one mine will determine our future. We are not anti-mining but we cannot stand by and let the NSW Planning process destroy our industry. A mine on the Drayton South site, less than 1km from Australia's and the world's market thoroughbred leaders, should never be allowed," Dr Cameron Collins, President of the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association said.
The Hunter Valley is at a tipping point. The Drayton South mine proposal is planned to come to within 1km of two of Australia's leading thoroughbred operations. If this mine is approved it will trigger the demise of the Hunter's Equine critical cluster, the loss of and the loss of at least 640 jobs in our industry and the end of the Hunter as Australia's horse capital.
"When he visited the studs in April 2015 Premier Baird said that "mining cannot go everywhere" and "co-existence is not co-existence without boundaries".
"This process has dragged on for nearly six years now. Many promises for protection have been made but none have been delivered."
"The time has come for the Government to show some leadership. If this 4thPAC rejects the Drayton South mine proposal, the Government needs to act swiftly to prohibit mining on this site, protect the Hunter's Equine Critical Industry Cluster and end uncertainty and land use conflict in the Hunter." Dr Collins said.
HTBA Release
