New environmental legislation: implications and issues for coal mining NSW

In December 1997, a series of new environmental legislation was enacted including: Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment Act 1997; Contaminated Land Management Act 1997; Protection of the Environment (Operations} Act 1997; Native Vegetation Conservation Act 1997; and Pollution Control (Load Based Licensing) Act 1997. These new Acts will have varying degrees of impact on the coal mining industry in New South Wales when they commence later this year . Some of the changes will have minimal or no impact on the coal mining industry. For example, although the Native Vegetation Conservation Act has extensive provisions to provide tight protection of the State's native vegetation, the Act does not apply to clearing that is authorised under the Mining Act 1992.