Regis nearly ready to submit EIS to NSW Government

Following several open days, a public forum and one on one consultations with nearby residents, there have been a number of changes made to the original plans.

Some of the major changes include a smaller operating footprint, a different site access road and modifications to the processing equipment to lessen noise and visual impact.

"We're lowering the height of the processing plant because of feedback that we've received from nearby residents," said Regis Manager Special Projects, Tony McPaul.

"We're also adding sound suppression to all our mobile equipment and that comes at a fair cost."

With residents living on Kings Plain at most risk from noise disturbances, part of the new design includes an amenity bund that's been redesigned to reduce the impact on native timber and improve noise reduction.

Other modifications include a new embankment at the northern end of the tailings storage facility to provide greater protection for adjacent box gum woodland.

The administration and contractor areas have also been moved to the north away from the majority of residents and will no longer be visible by neighbours to the southwest.

All of this planning, consultation, redesigning and checking is to prepare the company for when the EIS goes on public display.

"We're going to get submissions on all the things you'd expect to get submissions on," he said.

"This is a tough project because it's so close to King's Plains and we know we're going to have an impact, and we need to manage that impact so they can put up with it and can live with us."