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Hearings to decide the fate of a controversial silver, lead and zinc mine proposed for central west NSW have been told the project's progression has been like "watching a train crash in very slow motion".
Key points:
- The Independent Planning Commission has held three days of public hearings into the proposed Bowdens Silver Project
- About 70 speakers have appeared, most of whom oppose the proposal
- The NSW Department of Planning and Environment has recommended it for approval
The Independent Planning Commission today concluded three days of public hearings at Mudgee as part of its review of the proposed Bowdens Silver Project at the nearby village of Lue.
The development would include an open cut pit, tailings dam and associated infrastructure.
It would mine up to 30 million tonnes of material over almost two decades, of which about 1,800 tonnes would be silver.
Speakers who opposed the mine outnumbered supporters by about four to one.
Many people were concerned about the potential of lead contamination and how it could affect residents, including students at the nearby primary school, water usage and potential acid drainage into the landscape.
The propsal has been criticised by residents, including GPs, tourism industry experts and agricultural producers.
Veterinarian David Parry-Okeden today told the panel he had grave fears about how lead dust could affect domestic pets, livestock, wildlife and birds.
But he most feared the impact on bees, which he said were known to suffer smaller heads and cognitive loss which prevented them finding hives when poisoned by the metal.
"Let's hope that not one drop of blood is affected by the proposed mine," he said.
Dr Parry-Okeden called for the establishment of a contingency fund.
Registered nurse Sonia Christie, also a nearby resident, and a former member of the Bowdens Community Consultative Committee, slammed the mine, which she described as "monstrous".
"It's been like watching a train crash in very slow motion coming for Lue," she said.
William Brown, whose property is four kilometres from the proposed site, said he had spent decades improving the environment on his farm.
He said he feared that if something went wrong, "the word Bowdens will be as well known as the word Chernobyl".
Jobs for coal miners
Most of those in support either currently or previously worked for Bowdens.
Many of them wore the company's logo.
All praised the work environment and practices of the company.
Environmental scientist Thomas Purcell said the mine would provide material for the renewable energy boom, including zinc that could be used in batteries.
He said mining operations in NSW were strictly regulated and the project would "leave a lasting positive legacy".
The project's director, Anthony McClure, said the region was highly reliant on the coal mining industry, which was the Mid-Western Regional Council's single biggest employer.
He said he was committed to employing local people, which would help fill gaps left when three local coal mines eventually closed.
"What's going to happen to the Mudgee region," Mr McClure asked.
"We will in fact be saving jobs."
Today's proceedings included evidence from the Department of Planning and Environment, which had recommended the project for approval subject to conditions.
Department representative Clay Preshaw said it had been a long and comprehensive process due to the difficulty and complexity of the application.
"Ultimately I think we've come to a very sound conclusion," he said.
But he acknowledged there was "never a project where land-use conflicts don't exist".
The planning commission is expected to hand down its decision next month.