A CALL has been made for a full investigation into why the Minister for Planning Pru Goward would commission the Planning and Assessment Commission (PAC) before her own department had released its report into the Warkworth and Mt Thorley mine continuation projects.
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Bulga Milbrodale Progress Association (BMPA) spokesman John Krey said the minister’s decision needs some explaining and highlights yet again the close working relationship between the department and the mines’ proponent Rio Tinto.
According to Mr Krey, the department’s reports into the two mine projects were released last week but the minister had already commissioned the PAC review without waiting for her own department’s recommendations.
“We want a full investigation into this matter, is it corrupt conduct or not – that’s our question to Premier Baird?” he said.
“This is a matter of probity and the minister has shown no respect for the law.
“She must wait for the department’s report before engaging PAC but in this case she failed to follow the rules and commissioned PAC 10 days before the department released their report on the two mining projects.”
BMPA representatives including Mr Krey are in Sydney today meeting with the Department of Planning.
One of the first matters to be raised by the association will be how the department prepared a 100-page report and 70 draft conditions for the two mines in four working days.
“Poor old Glencore must be wondering what they have done wrong,” Mr Krey said.
“The department took 18 months to prepare a similar report on their Bulga Optimisation Project.
“Why does Rio Tinto get such favourable treatment by the department and now the minister – whereas other mining projects have to wait and follow the rules.”
A spokesman for the Department of Planning said the Minister must refer the application to the PAC for review before the Department completes its report.
The Minister requested a public hearing because it gives the community an opportunity to engage in the issues directly with the independent decision makers, ensuring their views are heard by the PAC.