Your chance to have a say about New Cobar Complex

There will be an increase in the number of haulage trucks between the New Cobar
Complex and the existing Peak Mine as part of Aurelia’s expansion plans for Peak Gold Mines’ New Cobar Complex Project. ▪ Photo contributed

If you strongly support or totally object to Peak Gold Mines (Aurelia Metals Limited) expanding their mining activities as part of the New Cobar Complex Project, now is the time to have your say.

The project involves the amalgamation of Peak’s existing underground mining of the Chesney and Jubilee deposits and the development of new underground workings of the Great Cobar and Gladstone deposits to form the New Cobar Complex.

The project plans to use existing surface infrastructure and to also construct a new power line spur.

Peak Gold Mine has submitted their environmental impact statement (EIS) for the New Cobar Complex Project to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) for review and exhibition.

During exhibition members of the public, government bodies and community groups are invited to read the EIS and submit comments to DPIE. These submissions are considered by DPIE when evaluating the EIS.

The NSW Government last week advertised with The Cobar Weekly that Aurelia’s EIS for this project would be on exhibition until March 24.

Details of the project can be found online at the NSW Government Major Projects website: https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/project/26616; at the Cobar Shire Council offices and Cobar Library.

Submissions must include the following information: your name and address, at the top of the letter only; the name of the application and the application number; a statement on whether you support or object to the proposal; the reasons why you support or object to the proposal; and a declaration of any reportable political donations made in the previous two years.

After the exhibition period has finished, the DPIE will publish all submissions received and Peak will respond to any issues raised in submissions in a public report.

The DPIE will then complete its assessment of the project in accordance with relevant legislation, policies and guidelines and prepare an Assessment Report and the Minister for Planning will then determine whether the development should be approved (subject to modifications or conditions) or refused.