Greens MP and mining spokesperson Cate Faehrmann has welcomed a new Coalition mining policy which allows for agricultural impact statements and better assessment of new exploration licences with a one year moratorium. However, Ms Faehrmann says this will be too little to deal with the mining onslaught that is impacting on communities across NSW.
"NSW is experiencing a mining rush right now. There are about twenty expansions awaiting approval now based on current exploration licenses which will rip up some of our most precious agricultural resources forever," said Ms Faehrmann.
"The Coalition's policy is welcome and shames the current Labor government. But with current and proposed open-cut coal and gas fields, what will be left to protect?
"The only way to protect our finite agricultural resources to ensure food security is to protect these lands in perpetuity, with laws similar to National Parks legislation. Otherwise, overseas demand for our coal exports combined with pressure from the powerful mining lobby will mean much of our agricultural land will always be under threat.
"I look forward to hearing the detail of the Coalition policy, especially how they plan to begin a transition away from coal and gas towards renewables. This has to be part of any strategy to address the mining crisis facing NSW," said Ms Faehrmann.
Media contact: Peter Stahel 0433 005 727