HCEC believes that the Environmental Assessment conducted for the third coal loading terminal at Kooragang Island exemplifies everything that is wrong with the planning and assessment process regime in NSW. The devastating cumulative impacts of the project -- resulting from dangerous climate change -- were not addressed by the EA, although the possible benefit of decreased crime rates in Mayfield was!

 You can download HCEC's submission for a more full response to the impacts of this proposal including:

1. climate impacts
2. increased mining activity
3. impacts on the Green and Golden Bell Frog
4. impacts on threatened plants and endangered ecological communities
5. social, economic and inter-generational impacts

Following the submission period, the Planning Minister established an "Expert Panel" to investigate the project further. Despite reciveing 700 submissions opposing the project on the grounds that it will exacerbate climate change, the terms of reference for the panel do not include the contribution that the loader will make to increasing the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and fuelling climate change.

The panel will hold hearings on the 7th, 8th and 9th of November, at Newcastle Town Hall.