View source for Wallarah 2 Coal Project

{{Short description|Mine in Australia}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2024}}
The '''Wallarah 2 Coal Project''' (or '''W2CP''') is a proposal by the [[Korea Resources Corporation]] or KORES (owned by the [[South Korea]]n government and other [[South Korea|Korean]] and [[Japan]]ese mining companies that comprise the ''Wyong Areas Coal Joint Venture'') to construct a [[Longwall mining|longwall mine]] near [[Wyong, New South Wales]], [[Australia]]. The underground mine is now being considered by the NSW Department of Planning. It was previously rejected by the [[Kristina Keneally|Keneally]] Government shortly before the [[2011 New South Wales state election|2011 State election]].

==Proposal==
The exploration areas within which the mining proposal is situated were awarded to the ''Wyong Areas Coal Joint Venture'' by the [[NSW Government|NSW State Government]] in 1995 following a competitive [[tender offer|tender]]. Extensive exploration drilling, geological surveys, environmental investigations, stakeholder consultations and other works costing approximately $80 million were undertaken by the proponents. The proposed mine would have an annual coal production of 4 to 5 million tonnes of export quality thermal [[coal]] per year, over 28 years.<ref name="wcm">{{cite news |last=Vince |first=Mary-Louise |date=17 January 2018 |title=Wallarah coal mine approved despite widespread fears for water supply |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-17/wallarah-mine-approved-central-coast-nsw/9337326 |work=ABC News |access-date=3 December 2023}}</ref>

The associated coal loader, coal stockpile and rail link would be at least 3 kilometres away from one of the largest urban growth areas on the Central Coast, including the proposed [[Warnervale]] town centre.<ref>[http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/HansArt.nsf/448b6decbe0283adca2571e1001663bb/22d7755b934de5a3ca2572ff0019cb2d!OpenDocument Private Member's Statement - Wallarah 2 Coal Project] 7 June 2007.</ref>

==Opposition and rejection of previous proposal==

The proposal was delayed by numerous studies, including an independent review headed by former NSW Liberal leader [[Kerry Chikarovski]], and widespread opposition on the [[Central Coast (New South Wales)|Central Coast]] with opponents suggesting the project could impact [[vote|voting]] at subsequent [[election]]s.<ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/voters-backlash-looms-against-coalmine/2007/01/03/1167777155928.html ''Voters' backlash looms against coal mine'' - Sydney Morning Herald] 4 January 2007.</ref>

The Australian Coal Alliance was formed to oppose the project and has maintained an active [[public relations]] campaign against the proposal. It blamed the [[Australian Labor Party|NSW Labor Party]] and its supporters to failing to stop the mine.<ref>[http://www.australiancoalalliance.com/main.htm Australian Coal Alliance - NSW State Labor: Gutless]</ref>

Former state [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]] [[New South Wales Legislative Assembly|MP]] for Wyong [[David Harris (Australian politician)|David Harris]] said he was opposed to the mine, adding he was ''"concerned about the noise and dust impacts on the community and for the future of the Wyong Employment Zone at Warnervale"''.<ref>[http://express-advocate-wyong.whereilive.com.au/news/story/wyong-mp-fears-coal-mining-will-affect-water/ ''Wyong MP fears coal mining will affect water'' - Central Coast Express Advocate, 30 July 2010.]</ref> However, members of the Australian Coal Alliance criticised him for accepting a position as [[Parliamentary Secretary]] claiming the position suggested loyalty to the NSW Government, rather than to their campaign.

Before the [[2011 New South Wales state election|2011 State election]], the [[Liberal Party of Australia|NSW Opposition]] promised to stop the mine proposal. On the final day of the [[Kristina Keneally|Keneally]] Government (the day before the issue of the [[writ]]s), Minister [[Tony Kelly (politician)|Tony Kelly]] announced that the Government had made a decision that the proposal would not go ahead. David Harris attempted to "claim victory" for the proposal rejection but was defeated at the state election.

==See also==
{{Portal|Australia}}
* [[Coal in Australia]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.wallarah.com.au ''Wallarah 2 Coal Project'' website]

[[Category:Coal mines in New South Wales]]
[[Category:Coal companies of Australia]]
[[Category:Wyong, New South Wales]]