The New South Wales Independent Planning Commission has decided to refuse approval of the Glendell Continued Operations Project (GCOP) and the application to modify the Mount Owen Continued Operations Project, finding that the project “is not in the public interest, despite its likely benefits” as the mine would have “significant, irreversible and unjustified impacts on the historic heritage values of the Ravensworth Homestead complex”.
The Commission conducted a site inspection and held a Public Hearing in March 2022. Across three separate public submission periods, the Commission received 899 written submissions, including 282 objections, 580 in support and 24 neutral submissions, and a further 13 submissions in response to specific heritage materials.
In its Statement of Reasons for Decision, the Commission found that the Ravensworth Homestead complex, which is comprised of colonial buildings and gardens and located approximately in the centre of the proposed mine site, has high to exceptional heritage value in its existing historic location and setting.
The complex, including the main house built in 1832, would need to be relocated for the project to proceed. This impact could be avoided by an appropriate buffer area around the Ravensworth Homestead complex in which mining is prohibited.
But Glencore, in its application, noted that retention of the complex in situ would render the project economically unviable and the operator would not proceed if consent for a restricted mining footprint was granted, requiring a stand-off distance from the complex.
The Commission found that the removal and relocation of the Ravensworth Homestead complex from the site would result in significant and irreversible impacts and constitute a significant loss to future generations.
Therefore, the Commission said the site was not suitable for the development and would not be in the public interest.
The Commission said the absence of any viable alternatives to retain the complex in situ meant the application had to be refused.
The Commission acknowledged that “the project would result in positive employment and economic and social benefits”. It found that the other key issues associated with the proposed mine – including greenhouse gas emissions, mine rehabilitation, water and biodiversity impacts, social impacts, and issues associated with traffic and transport, noise, vibration, air quality and visual impacts – could be appropriately managed, if the significant and irreversible impacts to historic heritage could have been avoided.
Glencore expressed its disappointment with the IPC’s decision to refuse the application for continued mining at the Glendell open cut operation.
“It is particularly disheartening considering that Glencore has invested more than six years and $25 million in studies as well as consulting with the community to produce a viable and environmentally sustainable project.
“The project would have provided jobs for up to 600 people and ongoing support for 350 businesses in the Hunter region.
“We will carefully review the IPC’s determination and statement of reasons and then decide if any further course of action is required.”
All the documents relating to the assessment and determination of this proposal can be found on the Commission’s website.