Global mining giant Glencore and Chinese state-owned enterprise Yancoal are seeking approval to create the Hunter's largest coal mine. If given the go ahead their joint venture, Hunter Valley Operations (HVO), is slated to ship 429 million tonnes of coal over the next two decades. The decision to approve the application is in the hands of three officers from Independent Planning Commission NSW. They are distinguished professionals: Simon Smith, a former departmental secretary; Janett Milligan, another experienced senior public servant, both pictured; and Michael Chilcott, an expert in environment impact assessment and natural resources.
The commissioners have an impossible task. There is no optimal outcome. There isn't a decision that can fairly balance the need to stop the planet cooking because of fossil fuel use and the need to provide economic certainty for the Hunter economy and secure jobs for coal sector workers. Add in, too, the extraordinary public statements in the last fortnight by NSW Premier Chris Minns, and NSW Natural Resources Minister Courtney Houssos calling on the independent commissioners to approve the HVO lease. It's easy to imagine the commissioners, tormented, exhaling, head-in-hands, wondering what poorly chosen turn along their career pathway landed them in this pickle.
