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th, 2016 at 11:21am:
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The independent MP was paid three times more for land sale to mining company than others nearby
THE sale of Tony Windsor's farm to a coalminer delivered the kingmaking MP a windfall about three times greater than nearby farmers who sold to the company.
Mr Windsor's family was paid $4.625 million by Werris Creek Coal in February for the sale of 376ha Cintra, south of Tamworth, reaping about $12,300 a hectare.
According to lands titles searches, the three other farms of substantial sizes to be sold to the mining company changed hands in the past 18 months for between $2767 a hectare and $5128 a hectare. A 351ha nearby property was sold to the coal group for $1.8m in 2008 -- representing $5128 a hectare -- and another 317ha parcel changed hands for $2767 a hectare in April this year.
Mr Windsor, who has long been critical of mining in the nearby fertile Liverpool Plains because of its impact on underlying ground water, yesterday repeated his claim that the mining of that property was legitimate because it was "completely different country".
"Overall, I am not opposed to mining. In fact, in several instances I have pushed for it, but I am very much opposed to mining where there is an interface with the ground water, as is the case with Liverpool Plains," Mr Windsor said.
When asked about the differences in the sale prices between his property and those of his neighbours, he said, "I think we should terminate this conversation".
"You listen to me pal, you mind your own business, it's my family's business. If you want to make up some bullshit story, go for your life, I don't care," he said before hanging up.
Mr Windsor has accused the Nationals of running a smear campaign against him after the sale of his farm to Werris Creek became public in February. Many locals, such as Liverpool Plains farmer John Hampersamp, agree. "It's exactly the same thing each time an election comes around: the National Party goes scrounging for dirt," he said.
Mr Windsor leases back from WCC the property and homestead, which sits about 1km north of the mine. WCC bought a nearby 1381ha parcel of land in March last year for $6.2m, equating to about $4700 a hectare. Four other far smaller parcels -- between 2ha and 30ha -- were bought by WCC since 2008 for between $150,000 and $1.5m. Those parcels were not directly comparable because of their small size.
Differing prices of the land parcels are also determined by factors including the volume and quality of underground deposits, and the proximity to the mine. WCC, a subsidiary of Sydney-based Whitehaven Coal, did not return calls. Mr Windsor last month issued a statement saying mining recommenced at the site south of his property about 12 years ago.
His home was 800m from the coal face.
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