8 December, 2015
Coal mining in Sydney’s water catchment is rejected by the local community and conservationists
The NSW Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) must reject Wollongong Coal’s plans to massively expand its Russell Vale colliery operations in Sydney’s drinking-water catchment because of the serious threats it poses to the region’s water supplies.
The PAC is conducting a public hearing on the proposal at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong from 1pm today. Almost 50 speakers are scheduled to give evidence, the vast majority of them opposed to the expansion. [1]
“It is incredible that the Planning Assessment Commission is seriously considering allowing more coal mining in Sydney’s drinking water catchment when we know climate change will significantly reduce runoff into the region’s key dams,” [2] said Nature Conservation Council Campaigns Director Daisy Barham said.
“According to the Climate Change Council, water, inflows in Sydney’s catchment could decrease by as much as 25 percent by 2070 if greenhouse gas emissions continue on their current trajectory.
“The eight new longwalls that Wollongong Coal wants will not only contribute to climate change, they will generate more noise and dust pollution for local communities, and further undermine the catchment.
“This area already loses 3 billion litres of drinking water every year because coal mines have cracked and drained swamps and creeks that should flow into the city’s reservoirs.
“It is outrageous that successive governments have allowed coal mining to occur here, and it beggars belief that the Baird government is allowing this industry to expand ever further.
“The NSW Government has to get serious about securing our water supplies, which means banning mining and coal seam gas activities in the state’s drinking water catchments.
“Swamps are vital for slowly releasing water during drought, and damaging them puts crucial water reserves at risk.
“Today is an opportunity to remind Commissioners they must put communities and the environment ahead of shortsighted development, and rejected this irrational proposal.
“The people of the Illawarra deserve a transition plan, not another mine expansion.”
[1] http://www.pac.nsw.gov.au/Projects/tabid/77/ctl/viewreview/mid/462/pac/504/view/readonly/myctl/rev/Default.aspx
[2] Climate Change Council, 2015. Thirsty Country - Climate Change and Drought in Australia. www.climatecouncil.org.au/uploads/37d4a0d2a372656332d75d0163d9e8b8.pdf
BACKGROUND
- The eight new longwalls that Wollongong Coal wants would undermine one of the most sensitive parts of Sydney’s drinking-water catchment, an area so special unauthorised bushwalking there carries huge fines.
- The company has applied to develop eight new longwalls, from which it would extract 4.7 million tonnes of coal over five years. The mines would undermine half of the water-storing swamps in the immediate vicinity.
- Coal mines in the Sydney Water Catchment Special Areas already drain about 3 billion litres a year from the water supply — enough water to fill 1,200 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Tags
Coal and gas
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