Denniston decision disappoints

West Coast Environment Network is saddened by an 'interim' Environment Court decision, which says that it's likely consent for the 'Escarpment' opencast coal mine on the Denniston Plateau can be achieved.

“We're pleased the court has recognised the high ecological values at the proposed mine site and the impossibility of recreating the values that would be lost on the plateau,” says spokesperson Lynley Hargreaves. “In our view this means appropriate conditions cannot be devised.”

The court instead has issued an interim decision suggesting that consent may be achieved if better ecological 'conditions' for mining can be developed, including an area of real protection against mining for an area of the plateau.

“We will continue to engage with the court process, but also acknowledge that this is by no means the end of the campaign against an open-cast coal mine on the Denniston Plateau,” said Ms Hargreaves.

ENDS

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