PIA NSW State Conference 2011

Transcription

1 PIA NSW State Conference 2011 Presented David Laing Senior Principal & NSW Planning Manager, Cardno Novotel Northbeach, Wollongong, September 2011

2 Southern Coalfields Long (200 yr) and distinguished coal mining history World-class hard coking coal used for steel production here and overseas Abt. 4-5 operating mines (cf.20) Mining towns like Helensburgh, Mount Kembla & Coalcliff Varying coal production levels depending on overseas markets Current hi-levels from fewer mines

3 Current Operations Continuous miners - Longwall techniques Multi seam mining Large capital investment Largely underneath Camden, Campbelltown and Picton Environmental controls Carbon capture Electricity generation Water and Waste recycling

4 Economic Impact Contributes c$700m to local economy Abt. 4% of GRP Royalties to NSW government 3x multiplier on AWE Miners are the ones with money now look at Hunter especially the town of Cessnock and Singleton Industry Sector $ million % of total Total Mining %

5 Social Impacts Abt direct jobs Abt. 3% of total 4x employment multiplier Say 12% of all Illawarra jobs directly or indirectly Many working families Social disruption caused by common road, rail and noise

6 Environmental Impacts Ecology Groundwater Air Noise Water Transport Coal waste (rejects) Short Term versus Long Term Impacts Monitoring

7 The Legacy of Mining Abandoned mines Land locked up not accessible to the public Clearing and regrowth (weeds) Subsidence Rehabilitation Safety Heritage Skilled workers Population Growth

8 Control under the Mining Act Remember minerals are generally owned by the State No real planning approvals recognised under Model Provisions Department of Mineral Resources regulator for Mining Leases Role of Mine Subsidence Board Exempted areas (e.g. Parks) Part V for prospecting Rehabilitation

9 Mounting Pressures Increasingly agitated community Increasingly single focussed agencies Need for improved impact assessment Need for strategic approach No longer Out of sight, Out of mind Desire for contemporary approach Government recognised mining is here to stay and a valuable stream of income The China syndrome Emergence of India as trading partner

10 Moving over to the EPA Act How was it supposed to work as basic principles are vastly different? Extinguishing existing use rights Migration of old mines to new approvals Strict sunset for continuing use Need for contemporary approvals Parallel with new Part 3A approvals New focus of strategic considerations under Part 3A State Significant Development SEPP Mining SEPP

11 Emphasis on Strategy NSW State Plan Metropolitan strategies Illawarra Regional strategy Draft NSW Coal and Gas Strategy Managing subsidence (natural and built features) Water quality esp. swamps, watercourses and dams within drinking water catchments Disposal of coal rejects the growth in mining Transport Demand for Land release Was expected mid year 2011

12 Emphasis on Independent Assessment Southern Coalfields Enquiry Helensburgh PAC Bulli Seam PAC Avoidance of: Cliffs/Topography Aboriginal sites Endangered Ecological Communities Public Infrastructure (road and rail) Significant Streams (3 rd order and higher) and Upland Swamps

13 Emphasis on Consultation Line up of opposing forces Sydney Catchment Authority OEH Ideologically opposing forces Which community (old or new)? Rivers SOS, NIRAG, mining companies, Mineral Council, National Parks and Wildlife Sydney division Mining communities themselves are changing as urbanites move in How to appease everyone every time?

14 Results so far - Strategy Concern over strategic direction No recognition in Strategies or LEPs Current plans for south-west sector put urban on a collision course with mining activities Need a plan for housing, mining and agriculture Delays causing people to go it alone and develop their own strategy with single agencies

15 Results - Assessment Guidelines turned into laws No current guidelines compare SMP Guidelines Vacuum has cost industry 9mo. (Monday ) S.4.1 more focus on single interest agencies Piece meal approach administered by riskaverse policy makers Chaos allows personalities to dictate process Policy on the run Moving goal posts Uncertainty

16 Results - Governance No whole of government Differing attitudes to mining (Parks) No coordination of approvals Overlap with OEH, I&I, DoP, Licences, AEMR No clear accountability for pays for infrastructure upgrades? All things to all people

17 Desires - Strategy Recognise legitimacy of mining and take a strategic view as a bona fide land use Address timing and sequencing of land use Look beyond mine and its impacts in overall context of rail and road linkages to export markets Consider whole supply chain (exploration, mining, processing, road and rail, haulage, shipping) Recognise large and small operators who can t move resources to another operation Develop a coalmine strategy years out because of lead time for mine development Assessment

18 Desires - Governance Need coordination of approvals Real whole of government especially at top Reduce overlap with OEH, I&I, DoP Licences align with AEMR More resources More speed More certainty Permissive culture in government

19 The Future Clear strategy that shares the resource (now and in the future) Clear assessment guidelines that are practicable and realistic Coordinated and wellresourced governance structure