CCBR Business Review

9 N E W S Local People - Local Knowledge Local Service - Global Solutions For all your business insurance requirements Phone: 4355 9999 Fax: 4355 9977 www.abcentralcoast.com.au Unit 4/3 Pioneer Ave. PO Box 3009, Tuggerah NSW 2259 AFS License No: 244618 INSURANCE BROKERS Wallarah 2 underground coal mine approved IN WHAT MAY be the most important announcement of 2018 the NSW Planning Assessment Commission has granted con- sent to the Wallarah 2 underground coal mine in Wyong subject to conditions. The decision follows the public meeting in Wyong on 3 November 2017. A statement by the PAC says, “The Commission has determined the proposal is in the public interest. The creation of 300 operational jobs, and 450 construction jobs along with the investment in the local area would have significant local benefits for the community, provide investment in the Central Coast and contribute to the growth of the region. The mine would also gener- ate royalties for the State and the people of NSW while providing a source of high qual- ity thermal coal during the global transition to a decarbonised economy. Impacts and potential risks can be appro- priately managed through the framework of rigorous controls and requirements in place to manage, mitigate, minimise, com- pensate and offset those impacts. In considering the suitability of the site for underground mining the Commission acknowledged its location under a sensitive drinking water catchment and the strategic context of a growing population, an uncer- tain future global coal market, along with the need to curb carbon emissions and reli- ance on coal fired power stations. The Commission heard and acknowl- edged strong calls for it to take a precau- tionary approach given the potential for impacts to the Central Coast’s drinking water supply catchment. The issue has been assessed in detail. Impacts were assessed to be small and acceptable, with no net impact on the availability of water for the Central Coast drinking water supply catchment during the life of the mine. The framework of conditions requires formal reviews of the subsidence predic- tions and impacts, adaptive management, compensatory water supply and ultimately include requirements for mining to cease if this is deemed necessary. The Commission has found that these extensive conditions will provide a precautionary approach to protecting the drinking water supply catch- ment. The Commission has noted the impacts of subsidence on flood levels and emer- gency evacuation routes and the require- ments for works to be undertaken to raise or relocate dwellings and relevant road lev- els. Conditions will also ensure air and noise emissions from the pit top facilities and coal transport process will be monitored and managed. In reaching this decision, the Commission considered carefully the concerns raised by the community; the Department of Planning and Environment’s assessment and recommendation for approval; and previous Planning Assessment Commission reviews of the project. Commenting on the approval Wyong Coal Pty Ltd Project Manager, Kenny Barry said, “Wyong Coal are very pleased to receive final approval for the Wallarah 2 Coal Project from the NSW Planning Assessment Commission following a rigor- ous merit based assessment. This approval justifies the significant amount of scientific investigation, impact modelling and community consultation undertaken by our team over many years which combined, provided the platform of a meticulously prepared and detailed Environmental Impact Statement and sub- sequent amendment to the Development Application.” Tourism Development Manager appointed Destination Sydney Surrounds North, the tourism body that now covers from the Blue Mountains to the Hunter including the Central Coast, has commenced 2018 with the appointment of Michael Forster as Industry Development Manager, working with General Manager Glenn Caldwell, Executive Assistant Michelle Jenkins and Industry partners to deliver on the Region’s key strategic tourism priorities. An industry professional with over 15 years’ experience in hospitality and tourism, including senior roles with TFE Hotels and The Minor Hotel Group, Mr Forster has recently turned his focus to Regional NSW and has a strong knowl- edge of the DSSN region. Destination Sydney Surrounds North (DSSN) Chair, David Fellows welcomed the appointment, stating “as we enter our first full year of operations, now fully resourced, we are well placed to deliver strong outcomes for the Visitor Economy. Following extensive Industry con- sultation, a key priority for DSSN is the release and implementation of the region’s Destination Management Plan and to work in harmony with partners throughout the region on Co-operative Marketing Campaigns, Development and funding for Major Events, Product Development and Conferencing. “Having established the organisational structure, priorities and DSSN team operation, the Board looks forward to the DSSN team delivering on its new- found resources to maximise value for our Industry partners and stakeholders throughout the network,” he said. The new State Government in 2011 set up Destination NSW to support the growth of tourism and events in NSW. Subsequently, last year in a major overhaul the regional tourism organisa- tions were replaced with six Destination Networks to cover the entire state. The Central Coast is now part of Destination Sydney Surrounds North Network which includes Blue Mountains, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Hunter Valley and Upper Hunter. CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW FEBRUARY 2018