In a submission, Australian Pacific Coal told the Independent Planning Commission the project's surface water extraction would not impact on the quantity or quality of the water supply for the horse studs upstream.
"The last time that this mine operated some 13 years ago, a lot of wells ran dry, which of course the company operating at the time denied," she said.Local businesses are generally supportive of the mine. "If you drive down Denman Road you can see a mine on one side, and a horse stud on the other … these industries can co-exist.""It's very difficult to move the [equine] industry anywhere else," Mr Norton said.Upper Hunter Shire Mayor Wayne Bedggood said it was simplistic to frame the argument as just"coals versus foals"."There is already a perception that properties are too close to coal mines, and the dust is affecting the quality of life," he said.
Coal for power production or export is in the national interest, cute quadrupeds running around and farting out methane isn't so much.
Who has the most money?