EPA says ‘no’ to Central West Coal
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WESTERN Australia’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 coal from tenements 15 kilometres south of Eneabba 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 reserve is an important and recognised conservation asset.”
Dr Vogel said the EPA would 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 of significant species.