Gloucester Resources Limited (GRL) has been busy responding to issues raised in submissions about the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), since closing the Rocky Hill Coal Mine Project exhibition in October last year.
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GRL said that responding to submissions is the priority as it continues its efforts to establish a mine in the Gloucester.
A spokesperson for the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) said there is a high degree of public interest in the project and the department has received well over 2500 submissions, with 10 per cent in support and 84 per cent opposed.
GRL chief executive, Brian Clifford said the mine’s initial design and operations that were submitted back in 2012, have been significantly altered in response to community and industry feedback.
“We have undertaken an extensive community engagement process within Gloucester to explain the project to locals, and we feel comfortable with the balance of views expressed by local residents and business during the submission process,” Mr Clifford said.
“Only a small percentage of the total submissions were from within the Gloucester shire,” he explained.
A spokesperson for the DPE said the submissions received show 28 per cent from the Gloucester region (2422 postcode), while 72 per cent were from outside the Gloucester area.
Of the 28 per cent, 16 per cent are in support of the project.
“The Department has also received 16 submissions from special interest groups objecting to the project, and three in support,” a DPE spokesperson said.
“We believe the views of locals are the most important when considering this project,” Mr Clifford said.
“GRL is committed to getting this project right, and to providing as much information as possible to the community and government agencies so there was a comprehensive understanding of the proposal,” he said.
“With this in mind, the community information centre in Church Street was opened again last week, and will continue to open fortnightly, throughout the next few months so people can find out more about the project.”
Mr Clifford said that GRL expects to have all the responses completed in June, after which the DPE will assess the information before proceeding to the next step.
If the DPE is satisfied with GRL’s responses, a report will be prepared for presentation to the Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) for review and a public hearing.
Mr Clifford said GRL is continuing its community support through the Community Grants Scheme.
For information about the grants visit www.rockyhillproject.com.au