Coal news and updates

Coal company insists Tarwyn Park will be protected if mining proceeds

The company proposing to use part of an environmentally significant Upper Hunter property for coal mining says the heritage aspects are being considered.

University of Newcastle researcher Peter Stevens from the Tom Farrell Institute told last night's Australian Story on ABC TV that Tarwyn Park should be heritage listed.

The Bylong property has become the focus of national attention for its natural sequence farming methods, introduced by former owner Peter Andrews.

Bill Vatovec from mine proponent Kepco Australia says Tarwyn Park's heritage is considered in an environmental impact statement due out later this year.

"During our design of our proposal for the mine plan, also for the EIS, we have to consider Tarwyn Park and all other buildings in and around the Bylong Valley for evaluation for heritage status and that's what we have done."

Mr Vatovec said the infrastructure supporting the natural sequence farming and its techniques are safe, should mining be approved.

"The mine has been designed so that it will not be on any of the alluvial plains or the creek lines and that will also include the homestead.

"We're impressed with infrastructure and also the Andrews methodology.

"We are looking at undertaking trials in our rehabilitation in the future."

source: http://www.abc.net.au