NSW Farmers Submission - SEPP

 

SEPP = STATE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION POLICY

Changes to the planning approvals process for mining developments – Letter Builder

On the 29th July, the NSW Government released proposed changes to the State Environmental Planning Policy (Mining, Petroleum Production and Extractive Industries) 2007 through the release of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Mining, Petroleum Production and Extractive Industries) Amendment (Resource Significance) 2013 (“the SEPP”).

NSW Farmers has serious concerns about the government’s motivation for these changes and the effect that these amendments in their current form will have on the way mining developments are approved. The NSW Government has stated that the ‘primary purpose of the proposed SEPP is to ensure that where mineral resources are demonstrated to be significant to the State, they are given greater consideration in the assessment of DAs.’

NSW Farmers will be providing a formal submission on this SEPP and raising the issue with the Premier, The Hon. Barry O’Farrell.

You can do this using our letter builder below.
 http://www.nswfarmers.org.au/sumission-builder/mining-sepp-amendments

A copy of your letter will be emailed to the Premier at: office@premier.nsw.gov.au 

and the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure at:
 information@planning.nsw.gov.au

Comment on this draft SEPP closes on the 12th August.

My Letter to the Premier was as follows:

The below submission has been sent on your behalf.

Mary-Ellen Peters
14 Morgo Street
URUNGA NSW 2455
Dear Premier
Re:  Proposed amendments to State Environmental Planning Policy (Mining, Petroleum Production and Extractive Industries) Amendment (Resource Significance) 2013.
I am a mother of three grown children and I was married in the Hunter Valley.

These proposed amendments prioritise mining interests over the interests of the environment and the community. The amendments make it clear that the ‘significance of the resource’ – using the economic benefit of the resource as a measure of that significance - is to be the principle consideration when assessing development applications for mining projects., The motivation and objectives behind the amendments are not clear.

The arrogant approach that the government has taken with these proposed amendments makes a mockery of the hard working landowners, environmentalists, communities and general public who care deeply about the future of their landscapes and natural resources. The notion of the ‘significance’ and economic benefits of developing a resource being the primary consideration when assessing approval for mining development is frightening., Mining development should be subject to truly balanced considerations and triple bottom line assessments.

I care about the long term future of our country and our state and I care about the potential for these developments to have an impact on air and water quality and clean green agricultural farm land. These considerations must be considered appropriately when assessing development., I also care about the social impact that mining development can have on a community. These amendments not only increase my own sense of disempowerment, but also the sense of disempowerment felt in my community.

I strongly urge you to abandon these proposed amendments.

Thank you again for the opportunity to respond to this important inquiry.

Yours sincerely
Mary-Ellen Peters

Images @ Eminpee Fotography