The draft Strategic Regional Land Use Plans released today will not deliver adequate protection for
local communities, wildlife, natural areas and groundwater resources from the impacts of coal and
coal seam gas exploration and mining, according to the Nature Conservation Council of NSW.
“The NSW government’s draft land use plans for the Upper Hunter and New England North West
will not meet the reasonable expectations of landholders and local communities threatened by
mining and gas development,” Chief Executive Officer Pepe Clarke said.
“The Coalition promised in the lead‐up to the state election it would find a balance between
mining, farming and other industries in regions such as the Hunter and our North West but it has
failed to deliver.
“These draft land use plans do not provide clear and certain protection for iconic natural areas,
public lands and water supply catchments.
“The plans carefully map high conservation value areas, but then offer no clear legal means of
ensuring their ongoing protection.
“The Government has chosen to disregard constructive input from conservationists and other
community stakeholders, delivering a result that strongly favours the interests of the mining and
gas industry.
“The draft plans are flawed, and if urgent measures are not taken for their amendment, they will
most likely provide a misguided model for other regions.
“During the two month exhibition period, the community needs to send a strong signal to the
NSW government that these plans must be substantially improved,” Mr Clarke said.
