The $80 million loader will enable Delta Electricity to obtain coal deliveries by rail for the first time for its Wallerawang and Mt Piper power stations, creating the prospect of wider competition for the traditional suppliers in the Western Coalfields.

This week it was announced that the Department of Planning has advised Delta Electricity that the Minister for Planning (Christine Keneally) has granted approval to build the rail coal unloader.

The approval follows a comprehensive environmental assessment process during which all expressed views were carefully considered and additional studies were undertaken at the request of the Department of Planning.

The environmental impacts of the proposal were assessed and Delta Electricity committed to a range measures to mitigate these impacts as outlined in its Statement of Commitments.

Over 30 consent conditions have been imposed as part of the approval.

These conditions require that stringent measures be put in place during both the construction and operating phases.

These include environmental management, waste management, mitigation of noise and vibration as well as measures to reduce impacts on road traffic and transport, air quality, water quality, heritage, local flora and fauna, visual amenity and landscape.

A local communication plan is also being developed.

A spokesman for Delta said yesterday that Delta’s power stations operate in a competitive national electricity market.

She said securing reliable and low cost coal supplies are essential for both Mt Piper and Wallerawang to continue to provide affordable electricity for the people of NSW.

Tenders will be called for the construction of the unloader, to be completed by the end of 2012 to allow for coal deliveries from 2013.

The $80 million project is expected to provide for 100 full time construction jobs and the equivalent of 10 full time operational jobs.

The approval is certain to revive the storm of objections that came from residents, concerned at issues including claimed property devaluation.