The Independent Planning Commission recently rejected a proposed expansion to the Dendrobium coal mine in the Hunter Valley because it would impact on the shared Aboriginal and colonial heritage values of the Ravensworth Estate.

The estate was the location of serious attacks and counter-attacks between the local Wonnarua people and settlers, including a massacre but the mine expansion would have required relocation of the homestead. While the decision is welcome, other mining projects rejected by the commission have been reclassified as ‘state significant infrastructure’ so they could be resubmitted and bypass the commission.

I joined with Reverend Fred Nile MLC to call on the Premier to accept the commission’s decision and progress the Heritage Council’s recommendation to heritage list the Ravensworth Estate.