A couple of weeks ago we made a submission on the economic assessment of NSW’s controversial Coborra Coal Project. The project is particularly controversial as it is a state owned project, which plans to sell thermal coal to specific generators at 
below market prices. You can read about the general controversy and politics of it here and here and with a bit of a search.
Our submission, on behalf of the Mudgee District Environment Group, related to the economic appendix of the environmental impact assessment, written by Gillespie Economics. Despite condemnation of the project on economic and financial grounds across the political spectrum, Gillespie Economics calculated a net present value of the project of around $2b. We believe this is a misleading figure, which was arrived at through:
- Definition of the project that differs from the actual intent of proponents
- Incorrect approach to greenhouse gas emissions
- Inappropriate or no consideration of noise, dust, vibration and amenity impacts
- Non-inclusion of social impacts, despite Gillespie Economics calculating such a value for a similar project through choice modelling
- Inappropriate inclusion of a social value attached to mine employment
- No consideration of health impacts
- See submission for other points
Thanks very much to John and Cheryl, new volunteers at Ecolarge for their help with the submission.
Excitingly, next week Rod will go to Dunedoo, near the project site in central NSW, to appear before a planning and assessment commission hearing on the project.
Read our submission below
