| Council is aware that community input into the development process is vital when assessing applications. Council endeavours to provide details of larger applications to the wider community to allow for easier community consultation.
Coalpac Consolidation Project – Voluntary Planning Agreement – Explanatory Note
Objectives of the Planning Agreement
To provide funding for material public benefits to the community from contributions paid as a result of the Coalpac Consolidation Project.
Nature of the Planning Agreement
Coalpac will contribute an amount of $0.07 per tonne (“Rate”) of coal sold per annum for each Financial Year (“Contribution Calculation”), subject to the initial fixed payments and allocation percentages set out below.
- CPI Increases
The Rate used to calculate the Contribution Calculation will be subject to a CPI increase each year using the following formula:
Rate = R x X/Y Where:
R = is the Rate applicable immediately before the relevant CPI increase
X = is the CPI last published before the relevant CPI increase date
Y = is the CPI last published 12 months before the relevant CPI increase date
- Initial Fixed Payments and Allocation Percentages
The payment of the Development Contributions by Coalpac will be made in accordance with Table 1 below:
Table 1
|
Column A |
Column B |
|
Relevant Payment Period
|
Capital Works Contribution
Fixed Payment or Allocation % |
Public Purpose Contribution
Fixed Payment or Allocation % |
Total
Payment |
Within 60 days after the grant of the Project Approval |
$50,000 |
$25,000 |
$75,000 |
Within 60 days of the first Financial Year end that falls after the grant of the Project Approval |
$75,000 |
$50,000 |
$125,000 |
Within 60 days of each subsequent Financial Year end for the remainder of the Term |
75% of the Contribution Calculation |
25% of the Contribution Calculation |
Total of Column A plus Column B for a relevant year |
Effect of the Planning Agreement
The effect of the Planning Agreement will be to apply funds to capital works and other public purpose projects.
Merits of the Planning Agreement
Coalpac is seeking approval from the Minister for Planning under the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) to consolidate the operations and management of the Cullen Valley Mine and Invincible Colliery and continue coal mining under a single, contemporary planning approval.
The Project would allow coal mining operations largely within Coalpac’s current mining tenements to continue for a further period of 21 years to predominantly supply Mt Piper Power Station at up to 70% of coal requirements for electricity generation.
The Planning Agreement provides for the payment of contributions for major capital works, currently proposed to be the provision of a reticulated sewerage system to Cullen Bullen, and other public purpose projects.
Promotion of Council’s Charter
Council has a vision for the Lithgow area to be recognised as a desirable place to live and visit and a viable place in which to invest. The provision of major capital works and other public purpose projects is consistent with this vision.
Planning Purpose
The Planning purpose of the Voluntary Planning Agreement is:
- In compliance with the Environmental and Planning Assessment Act and Regulations.
- An Alternative to Council’s Coal Contributions Plan.
- In compliance with the public interest of the development, being to provide facilities which may be of benefit towards a public purpose.
- To enhance the positive social impact of the development on the locality.
Capital Works Program
Once funds from the Planning Agreement have been collected Council begins planning for their expenditure through incorporation into the capital works program.
Download Voluntary Planning Agreement
DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL
Council is in receipt of a Designated Development application seeking consent to extend the operational life of the Helipad indefinitely. The land is described as Lot 5 DP244899, 4675 Castlereagh Highway, Capertee NSW 2846. The proposal is to amend the approval of a 5 year time limited consent to allow the continued use of Capertee Valley Helicopters.
The proposal also constitutes Integrated Development in accordance with Section 91 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 as an Environment Protection Licence is required from the Environment Protection Authority under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997.
The application and plans are available for public inspection at Council's Environment & Development Department, in the Council Administration Centre, 180 Mort Street, Lithgow, free of charge, during office hours. The applications and plans are also available at the Department of Planning-Information Centre during the office hours at the Ground Floor, Lands Building 23-33 Bridge Street, Sydney.
The exhibition period is from 19 July to 20 August 2012.
During this period any person may inspect the plans and make a written submission on the proposal quoting Council's file reference, Development Application 319/06DA (S96028/12). All submissions received during this period will be taken into consideration prior to Council's determination of the application.
Please note Council is considering this application as a HELIPAD rather than a heliport. This is consistent with the amended Court orders issued on 17 October 2007.
Download Development Application
Download Envionmental Impact Statement
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