Highlands landowners can't stop coal drilling Updated December 30, 2010 09:09:00 Map: Sutton Forest 2577 Landowners in the New South Wales Southern Highlands have no right to stop a coal mining company carrying out exploration drilling on their properties.
Cockatoo Coal is pushing ahead with plans to mine up to 115,000,000 tonnes of coking coal from underneath Sutton Forest to supply the large Korean steel producer POSCO.
Already some landowners have been approached about allowing drilling on their property.
The Member for Goulburn Pru Goward says the best they can do is ask for conditions and come to some agreement.
"That's the whole point of an exploration lease that the landowner has no rights when it comes stopping the explorer coming onto their land," Ms Goward said.
"The landowner though does have the right to ask that they not drill on certain times and at certain places and that they seek permission or advise the landowner everytime they wish to enter the property."
But Ms Goward says they can rest assured they will be consulted if plans for underground coal mine proceed.
She says once the value of the resource has been determined, the company is obligated to consult and negotiate about any future mining.
"Once Cockatoo Coal has proved up the value of that resource then it does have to negotiate with landowners, the terms of developing that lease and of mining that land."
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