Whitehaven hoax shows NSW planning system can't cope with community concern

Abstract

This week's hoax email from an anti-coal activist, Jonathan Moylan, highlights an emerging issue in land-use conflicts both in Australia and internationally. Activists, and in many instances, communities, feel increasingly compelled to engage in extreme actions to have their voices heard. Within a regulatory regime that prioritises development interests, and provides limited opportunity for independent arbitration of development decisions, this is hardly surprising. The mining boom has created unprecedented land use conflicts, particularly in rural and regional Australia. Agricultural communities and environmentalists are engaged in disputes with mining and gas companies over the use and management of natural resources. In many cases, these conflicts have eluded resolution.