2 May 2012

Climate change impact ruled out of mine appeal

9:27 am on 2 May 2012

The Environment Court says the likely impact of a proposed West Coast coal mine on climate change can not be considered as part of an appeal against its consent.

The West Coast Environment Network had sought a declaratory judgement from the Environment Court on whether climate change could be a factor in an appeal against a coal mine proposed on Denniston Plateau.

Acting principal environment judge Laurie Newhook says under the law, regulation around the issue of climate change has been firmly taken away from regional government, and placed with central government.

Environment network spokesperson Jeanette Fitzsimons says it will still appealing against the consent for the Denniston Plateau mine, but will now focus on biodiversity impacts.