Clash of the titans yet to come for coal mining protestors

Landowners who turned out at the Busselton Courthouse last Thursday to hear the Mining Warden accept the withdrawal of three Western Coal applications for coal exploration licences were relieved but said the battle was far from over.

Late last month Western Coal advised the 60 objectors of its intent to withdraw the licences, and was ordered by the warden to have representation at Thursday’s mention hearing on the matter. The company claimed the motion was made in respect of the public opposition to the applications.

Hong Jim Saw represented the applicant, and formally withdrew applications for exploration licences E70-4079/4080/4091.

None of the objectors chose to speak at the hearing, but all applauded when the warden granted leave for the withdrawal of the leases. No application was made for costs.

Save our Southwest spokesperson Cath Miller said it was the first step in the battle which stretched ahead.

“There are still six more applications to be withdrawn,” Cath said.

“Western Coal still has three other licences between Yelverton and Margaret River and Titan Energy have applied for a Special Prospecting Authority for coal bed methane across the same area.

“We will be going after Titan now – we don’t want mining or coal seam gas extraction in this area and will be writing to the mining minister to ask that they are repealed.

“We will also be asking Premier Colin Barnett to put in place special legislation to protect this area.”

Save our South West and the NoCoalition group are concerned that both mining and coal seam gas extraction would pollute water supplies vital to the region’s agricultural production. Air pollution is also a factor in their opposition.

“As well as the wineries, 30 per cent of Perth’s milk is produced here, and 30 per cent of the state’s potato crop – it’s also a prime beef fattening area,” Cath said.

Mr Saw said Western Coal had no immediate plans to withdraw the remaining applications.