But the organisation acknowledged there are no winners out of this situation, and that the NSW Government needs to end the uncertainty for all industries when it comes to the approval process.

This is the third version of the project that has been submitted for consideration, and each time the verdict has been the same.

Furthermore, the various public hearings or meetings, and associated public relations campaigns cause angst and division in our community while placing a financial burden on proponents.

“While we are relieved at Friday’s decision we are saddened by the impact this will have on the affected mining families,” HTBA president Dr Cameron Collins says.

“Our community here in the Hunter Valley is a small and tight one. 

“This issue has caused divisions that no one wanted.

“Friday’s decision also illustrates the importance of a diverse and resilient economy based on many strong industries providing long term jobs and job choices for our community.

“It’s time now for all of us to come together and move on.”

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 and accept the recommendation of this third PAC and formally refuse the Drayton South application,” Dr Collins says.

Darley managing director Mr Henry Plumptre says given the overwhelming evidence against this mine proceeding, we now need certainty. 

“We call on the NSW Government to permanently protect Australia’s and NSW’s premier studs from future mining threats and place a SEPP over the Drayton South EL to prohibit future mining on this site and avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.”

Principal of Coolmore Tom Magnier concurs, and says while we welcome the PAC’s recognition of the real risks Drayton South poses to Coolmore’s business, and the need to protect our thoroughbred industry, we know that the news is very hard for the Drayton workforce. 

“The uncertainty of this process has been tough on everybody and there are no winners out of it,” he says.

“We thank the PAC for their diligence and especially for their commentary on the need to improve matters to deliver certainty to both mining and the thoroughbred industry.”

In the PAC review of the Drayton South Project, the Commission sends a clear message to the Department of Planning and Environment.

They state there is a “policy gap” and clear buffers need to be established to protect sensitive industries from the significant impacts of open cut mining – just like the measures that have been put in place for coal seam gas industry, and drafted for wind farms.

Noting the Mining SEPP prohibits coal seam gas development within two kilometres of a residential zone, future residential growth area land, additional rural village land or Critical Industry Cluster land.

“The Commission is not at all convinced that the 1km distance between the mine and the studs is sufficient to ensure that the reputation, operations and viability of the horse studs would be protected,” the report says.