The ongoing political tussle over the future of the Blayney Gold Mine tailings dam continues to intensify, as the Nationals push the Labor government to provide clarity on its decision to halt the project. After more than a month of waiting for a formal response, Nationals Leader David Littleproud has demanded immediate answers regarding Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s decision to scrap the mine’s development, a move that threatens the economic future of the Blayney region in New South Wales.
A $1 Billion Investment Halted
The Blayney Gold Mine, a $1 billion investment led by mining company Regis Resources, promised to bring 800 new jobs to the regional community. The project’s cancellation, due to Minister Plibersek’s decision under Section 10 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, has raised serious concerns among local politicians and residents. This decision effectively put a stop to the construction of a tailings dam, which was critical to the overall mining operation.
David Littleproud, Leader of the Nationals, expressed his frustration in Parliament, stating that the government’s indecision has cast a shadow over the future of the Blayney Gold Mine and, by extension, the economic prospects of the Central West region. “The $1 billion mine would have provided 800 regional jobs, but the Minister’s Section 10 decision has put a stop to the mine and, with it, the future of Blayney,” said Mr. Littleproud.
Community Left Waiting
Adding to the tension is the delay in providing a clear justification for the decision. Minister Plibersek had promised a Statement of Reasons explaining the rationale for scrapping the tailings dam over a month ago, but Regis Resources has yet to receive any formal documentation. The delay has heightened concerns not only within the mining company but also across the local community, which is eager to understand the reasons behind the halt to a project that was set to generate substantial economic benefits.
During Question Time in Parliament, Littleproud applied further pressure on the government, calling for an immediate explanation. Minister Plibersek responded by saying that the Statement of Reasons would be provided to Regis Resources “very shortly, this week certainly.” However, the ongoing uncertainty has left many questioning the broader implications of the government’s stance on mining projects in regional areas.
Economic Blow to Blayney and Central West
For the Blayney community, the cancellation of the mine represents more than just the loss of potential jobs. It symbolizes a broader issue of confidence in the region’s ability to attract and retain investment. Local politicians argue that halting the project sends a negative signal to future investors who might consider the Central West for similar ventures, stifling the area’s economic development prospects.
Littleproud described the decision as a “devastating blow” to Blayney and the surrounding Central West region. He emphasized that the Nationals would not have allowed such a project to be scrapped and promised that under a future Nationals government, the Blayney Gold Mine would go ahead. “Labor’s cancellation of the Blayney tailings dam, which, in turn, cancels the Blayney Gold Mine, is a devastating blow to Blayney and the Central West,” Littleproud reiterated in his address to Parliament.
The local community is not the only group left in limbo. Suppliers, contractors, and other businesses that would have benefited from the project’s development are now facing uncertainty, as the cancellation ripples through the local economy.
Calls for Transparency
The Nationals have been vocal in their calls for greater transparency from the Labor government. Sam Farraway, the Nationals’ candidate for the seat of Calare, has been particularly critical of Minister Plibersek’s handling of the issue. Farraway has demanded that the minister provide the community with clear answers about the reasons behind her decision.
“Regis Resources jumped through every hoop possible to get the mine approved and consulted with 13 registered Aboriginal parties to understand and address, if necessary, the cultural significance of the site,” Farraway stated, emphasizing the thoroughness of the approval process and the efforts made to address environmental and cultural concerns.
Farraway also criticized the lack of communication from the government, arguing that the community deserves a detailed explanation from the Minister herself. “Minister Plibersek still hasn’t shown the courage to front up to the people of the Central Tablelands to explain her decision,” he said. Farraway warned that without a clear explanation, confidence in the region’s ability to attract investment could be severely damaged. “We need the mine to go ahead, not just for the potential of 800 jobs for Blayney, but also to ensure there is investment confidence in the Central West,” he added.
Cultural and Environmental Considerations
One of the key issues at the heart of the debate is the cultural and environmental significance of the site. The Section 10 decision referenced by Minister Plibersek relates to provisions in the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, which protect areas of significant cultural heritage. Regis Resources, according to Farraway and Littleproud, had consulted extensively with Aboriginal groups to ensure that the mine’s development would not harm any culturally significant sites.
Despite these efforts, the government ultimately decided to halt the project, citing environmental concerns. However, without the promised Statement of Reasons, it remains unclear exactly what aspects of the project led to the decision. Until the government provides more information, the Blayney community, Regis Resources, and the broader Central West region remain in the dark about the future of the mine.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Blayney?
The Nationals are making it clear that they will continue to fight for the future of the Blayney Gold Mine. Littleproud has vowed that, if the Nationals are elected to government, they will overturn Labor’s decision and allow the project to proceed. In the meantime, the pressure is on Minister Plibersek to deliver the Statement of Reasons and provide clarity on why the project was halted.
For now, the Blayney community waits for answers. The potential economic benefits of the project—including the creation of 800 jobs—remain tantalizingly out of reach. As the political battle over the future of the mine plays out, local residents and businesses are left wondering when, or if, they will see the project revived.
With regional jobs, investment confidence, and the broader economic development of the Central West hanging in the balance, the outcome of this issue could have far-reaching implications for both the local community and the Australian mining sector as a whole.
As the week progresses, all eyes will be on Minister Plibersek and the anticipated release of the Statement of Reasons, which promises to shed light on the government’s decision-making process and determine the future of the Blayney Gold Mine.
Related topics: