Planning Commission Rejects Mine Near Stud

The Hunter Valley breeding industry is breathing a little easier with the Planning Assessment Commission rejecting the notion coal and horses are compatible.

The PAC on Friday recommended for the third time against the Drayton South open-cut mine on the doorsteps of Darley and Coolmore Studs.

Anglo American wanted to build the new mine less than a kilometre from the borders of the two stud farms.

The Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association welcomed the decision and said it was incumbent on the minister for Planning, Rob Stokes, to formally refuse the Drayton South application.

The HTBA also said it acknowledged that while it was a win for the thoroughbred industry, it was a blow to the mining community.

"While we are relieved at today's decision we are saddened by the impact this will have on the affected mining families," HTBA president Cameron Collins said.

"Our community here in the Hunter Valley is a small and tight one. This issue has caused divisions that no-one wanted.

"Today's decision also illustrates the importance of a diverse and resilient economy based on many strong industries providing long-term jobs and jobs choices for our community.

"This is the third PAC that has recognised the importance of Coolmore and Darley and the potential terminal decline of the Hunter Valley's entire premier thoroughbred breeding industry if the studs were forced to relocate due to the impacts of one mine.

"While there are two more steps to this long process, the Minister for Planning could now accept the PAC recommendations and make a prompt decision.

"For the sake of all involved, we call on Minister Stokes to exercise his ministerial authority accept the recommendation of this third PAC and formally refuse the Drayton South application."

The HTBA's figures say the thoroughbred breeding industry contributes more than $5 billion annually to the national economy and $2.6 billion annually to the NSW economy.

It supports more than 230,000 jobs throughout Australia and is one of three international centres of thoroughbred breeding excellence in the world alongside Newmarket in the UK and Kentucky in the USA."