Rita Panahi has criticised a decision to knock back a major coal project in NSW.

The multi-million-dollar Bylong Valley coal mine was rejected by an independent planning panel because of environmental concerns.

The mine, proposed by South Korean company KEPCO, was deemed to be at risk of producing problematic greenhouse gas emissions.

The project was poised to create about 640 jobs in the area.

Rita Panahi says the decision is ridiculous and the government needs to step in.

“I thought there was a Coalition government in charge in NSW.

“How is this any different than having Labor in charge?!”

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Federal Resources Minister Matt Canavan tells Steve Price he doesn’t understand the decision.

“What happens when a factory or a freeway comes before [the planning panel]? All these things have emissions so that is very concerning.

“It certainly doesn’t line up with the federal law that exists around these things.”

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