In the latest instalment of the coal versus foal debate, a big crowd descended upon the Denman Memorial Hall.

Forty-six speakers, consisting of mining and thoroughbred representatives, as well as environmental and community groups, were registered to address the three-man PAC committee of chair Garry Payne AM, David Johnson and Gordon Kirkby.

“We’re here to listen to you – and hear your views,” Mr Payne told the audience.

“There is a great deal of interest in this project; that’s apparent by the amount of people in Denman today.”

Mr Forbes, a Drayton employee for the past 17 years, told the panel he had seen the mining company “do good things in the Hunter Valley”.

“Drayton has made a positive contribution to the economy,” the Singleton resident said.

“I spend the money I earn in the community – and I believe the two industries can co-exist.

“There is no technical reason this mine can’t go ahead.

“It won’t cause any grief to the horse studs.

“We’ll become unemployment statistics if Drayton South doesn’t get approval.”

Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association president Dr Cameron Collins said PAC’s decision was critical, not only for the future of Darley and Coolmore, but also for the future of the entire industry in the Hunter Valley.

“It will signal whether the NSW Government is genuine in protecting its vital agricultural assets and critical industries clusters and its commitment that the government’s process will protect us,” he said. 

“The Drayton South Review PAC unequivocally recommended that ‘this mine should not proceed’ and that the Coolmore and Darley studs be afforded the ‘highest level of protection from mining’.

“The PAC also accepted and backed the advice of their own independent experts, and reinforced the conclusions of the Bickham PAC, that ‘these land uses cannot co-exist in close proximity to one another’ and that ‘open cut coal mining and a viable international-scale thoroughbred breeding enterprise are incompatible land uses’.

“The Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Report, prepared by the Department of Planning and Environment, acknowledges that Anglo’s most recent mine plan meets less than half of the recommendations made by the Review PAC for a future, much smaller mine application. 

“Anglo American admits that if it were to comply with the Review PAC’s recommendations the mine would be financially unviable.

“The Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Report also admits that little additional information has been provided by Anglo American to assess the environmental impacts of its new mine plan.

“Despite this, and in stark contrast to the recommendations of the 

government’s independent PAC, the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Report ignores the review PAC’s recommendations, ignores the independent Gateway Panel’s advice, ignores our industry’s expert advice, and recommends that the Drayton South mine proceed.”

Denman resident John Kaye also spoke before the panel.

“I’ve lived here since 1997 and cop dust from the mines,” he said.

“In fact, the pollution is shared with the whole community.

“If mines want to co-exist, they need to take responsibility.

“The government has failed residents and farmers by allowing these mines to pollute and contaminate properties.”