The NSW Land and Environment Court (Court) has refused
development consent for the Rocky Hill Coal Project in the
Gloucester Valley, citing the mine’s likely contribution to
climate change as a key reason.
The decision will have wide-reaching consequences and will
likely affect the viability of coal and other fossil fuel-dependent
industries in Australia. The growth in international jurisprudence
directly linking fossil fuel developments with climate change may
also lead banks and others who would traditionally invest in these
industries to consider alternatives.
Background
Gloucester Resources Limited (GRL) sought
development consent for a new open cut coal mine approximately 5km
south of the Gloucester town centre in New South Wales. Extraction
of 2Mtpa of coal was proposed for a period of 21 years
(Project).
