BUSINESSES across the region are pushing for Whitehaven Coal's Vickery Extension Project to be approved ahead of the final public hearings later this week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Independent Planning Commission (IPC) is set to host two online public hearings on Thursday and Friday before making a decision on the project in August.
More than 70 locals and community groups will speak during the meetings both for and against the project.
Read Also:
Among those pushing for the project to get across the line is Ultra Fleet owner Jacinta Mannion, who said the mining industry had been key in helping her business grow since its inception in 2011.
"We've grown the business to a fleet of 117 mine-spec light vehicles since 2011," Mrs Mannion said.
"We purchase all the vehicles locally and do all of the fit-out, detailing and servicing locally.
"So it's not just Ultra Fleet that has grown - I've seen a lot of businesses set up and expand, and we can see the benefits going back into the community."
Black n Blue Boxing owner David Syphers said the economic benefits of the industry spread to all parts of the community.
"We work a lot with disadvantaged kids at Black n Blue Boxing, and Whitehaven's one of the main contributors that keeps us going," Mr Syphers said.
"Without Whitehaven, we wouldn't have the equipment we have, and in fact, we probably wouldn't have a gym at all.
"We need a range of industries here to keep our economy and community booming."
However, not all sectors of the community are in favour of the project.
Boggabri farmer Sally Hunter will be among those speaking at the hearings about her concerns for local agriculture.
"I can appreciate that some of the businesses see a short-term gain for them individually from this project," Ms Hunter said.
"However, I think from a community-wide perspective, Boggabri will end up suffering a lot of the negative impacts of the project.
"My main thing is having the lived experience of what it is like living near the Maules Creek mine, I have an understanding of how the conditions of consent let the community down.
"Particularly in terms of water and land acquisition issues, so I will be certainly bringing up those points."
Mullaley farmer Margaret Fleck said she would also be making her voice heard during the hearings.
"If approved, us farmers will wear the direct result of all the issues fossil-fuel projects create for the environment," Ms Fleck said.
"This is not the time to sink massive amounts of money into fossil fuel projects when I think we should be heading for a renewable energy future."
The hearings will be broadcast on the IPC's website www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/livestream from 10am on Thursday.
