EPA rejects Central West Coal proposal

The state's environmental watchdog has recommended the state government knock back a plan by Central West Coal to supply the proposed Coolimba Power Project in the Mid-West.

Environmental Protection Authority chairman Paul Vogel said Central West's proposal to mine 75 million tonnes of sub-bituminous grade coal from tenements 15 kilometres south of Eneabba for the Coolimba power plant could not meet the EPA's environmental objectives.

"With the clearing of 861 hectares of native vegetation adjacent to the South Eneabba Nature Reserve there is a high risk of unacceptable impacts on critically endangered vegetation, Carnaby's Cockatoo and the migratory Rainbow Bee-eater,' Dr Vogel said.

"Dewatering for the proposal is likely to have adverse impacts on the Lake Logue Nature Reserve.

"The Lake Logue Nature Reserve is an important and recognised conservation asset supporting significant flora, fauna and wetland values.

"The South Eneabba Nature Reserve, the Lake Logue Nature Reserve and the conservation significant flora within this region are important environmental assets which should be protected.

"The EPA will take a conservative approach to the assessment of any proposals in this area, particularly cumulative impacts and risks posed by proposals to the long-term viability of conservation significant species."

One of the EPA's key conditions when it gave the preliminary nod for the $1 billion Coolimba power station in March last year was that the station's infrastructure corridor could not affect the South Eneabba Nature Reserve.