Moolarben Coal Project
Reverend the Hon. Dr GORDON MOYES: I ask the Hon. Ian Macdonald, Minister for Mineral Resources, a question without notice. Is the Minister aware of the proposed Moolarben coal project near Mudgee that would include one underground coalmine and three open-cut coalmines spanning 3,450 hectares of sensitive bushland and river systems? Is the Minister aware that the proposed mine will take 6.9 million litres of water per day out of local water sources to wash coal when the region is already enduring one of the worst droughts in recorded history? Is the Minister aware that the coal mined from the project will continue to emit 330 million tonnes of carbon dioxide over and above the 14 to 20 year lifespan of the mine? Is the Minister aware that the exploration licence allows for a purpose-built coal-fired power plant to be constructed to power the mine which will itself emit 382 million kilograms of carbon dioxide? Will the Minister consider reserving extensive time for detailed scrutiny and re-assessment of this proposal and the potential environmental impacts of such a major development?
The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: I thank the honourable member for his question. This matter is in the province of my colleague the Minister for Planning under part 3A of the Environmental Protection and Assessment Act. I am sure all of the issues that the honourable member raised will be considered within the context of the assessment that is required for any expansion of the mine owned by Felix Resources at Moolarben.
