1 April 2019
Legal advice sought to overturn approval for coal mine expansion under water supply for 220,000
The Nature Conservation Council is considering taking legal action to overturn a NSW Planning Department approval allowing coal giant Peabody Energy to undermine Woronora Reservoir [1], the main water supply for more than 220,000 people in Sydney’s south. [2]
The government earlier this month quietly approved the company’s plans to expand its Metropolitan colliery under the dam, the first time any company has been allowed to do so.
Nature Conservation Council Chief Executive Chris Gambian said: “Just a few weeks after Sydney was put on Level 2 water restrictions approval for coal mining directly under Sydney drinking water supply is pretty extraordinary.
“We are very concerned that the mine will not be able to meet the conditions placed on the approval, which would have dire consequences for water supply.
“It is possible to support the coal mining industry and still believe that mining under drinking water supply is a step too far.”
Already more than 15.3 billion litres of water a year is lost due to subsidence from longwall coal mining in the catchment, enough to meet the annual water needs of more than 210,000 people. [2]
Until now, water losses have been caused by longwall mines undermining, cracking and draining creeks that flow into the city’s drinking water dams.
Sutherland Shire Environment Centre has been campaigning against approval being given to the extraction plan, and presented a petition of over 10,000 signatures to Parliament. The petition was due to be debated last week but that debate was dropped from the business paper because of the coronavirus.
The Nature Conservation Council acknowledges the precarious economic times we are placed in, and calls for proper support for the workers and communities that rely on the mine.
“That’s why the government must urgently start working with all stakeholders - workers, industry and local communities - to develop a transition plan that is fair for all.”
References
[1] SMH, 29/3/20 Coal mining allowed under Sydney water reservoir for first time in 20 years
[2] The Woronora catchment covers 75 square kilometres encompassing the catchment of the Woronora River, which drains into Woronora Dam and then to Botany Bay. This catchment supplies water to residents within the Sutherland Shire in Sydney’s south. Woronora Dam is the sole water supply to Helensburgh, Engadine and Lucas Heights. (Ref) The population of the Sutherland Shire is about 218,000.
[2] Water losses from all coal mines in Sydney’s drinking water catchment have been estimated at 42 million litres a day (SMH 11/11/19). On average, people in the Sydney region use about 200 litres of water a day (Sydney Water).
Tags
Climate and energyRivers and wetlands
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