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Marshes drilling battle heads into 2025

Western Plains App

River McCrossen

22 December 2024, 8:20 PM

Marshes drilling battle heads into 2025Macquarie Marshes graziers say the wetland is unsuitable for mining. IMAGE: River McCrossen

Hopes for a quick outcome to the legal battle over mineral exploration in the Macquarie Marshes have been dashed as the case between Canadian-owned Australian Consolidated Gold Holdings (ACGH) and the NSW government appears set to head into next year.

 

Since an initial court date on 11 November in the Land and Environment Court, the case has gone through procedural hearings, although no significant orders have been made.

 

The court goes on vacation on 23 December and the new court term will begin on 3 February.


 

"I just find it exceptionally frustrating," Maquarie Marshes grazier Garry Hall said.

 

"Us who are directly impacted, we've been in this since April, and we've we're still no further down the track."

 

The NSW Resources Regulator had approved ACGH for exploratory drilling in April 2024 in two locations.


Garry Hall pictured in October 2024. IMAGE: River McCrossen

 

However, the regulator overturned the approvals on 25 July, claiming the company had not provided all relevant and accurate information.

 

The company were given ten days to provide more information, then a second deadline was set for 23 August.

 

The Regulator has not yet released a final decision and there is no confirmation of what, if any, further information was provided in support of ACGH's application.


In October the company commenced legal proceedings against the NSW Government in a bid to have the original approval reinstated.

 

A spokesperson for the Regulator said last month that it would be inappropriate to comment at this time since the matter is before the court.

 

The Western Plains App has reached out to ACGH for comment via a legal representative.

 

The next court date is not yet listed.