[Greens-Media] Coastal water supplies jeopardised for coal mine

[Alison Orme]

MEDIA RELEASE - 2 August 2006 

Govt jeopardises coastal water supplies for coal mine

Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon says the government’s decision to grant Duralie Coal an extension to its open cut coalmine in the Gloucester Basin alongside the Mammy Johnson River threatens the future water supply for communities from the central coast to Port Stephens.

“At a time when drought grips 97 percent of NSW the Minister for Mineral Resources Ian Macdonald is negligent to grant this extension without a thorough environmental assessment of the impact on future water supplies in the region.

“The NSW government should apply the brakes and not expand mining in this area. 

“The Duralie coal mine will badly impact on the Mammy Johnson River as 3.4 million tonnes of coal are extracted over the next decade.

“Mining in the area also threatens the endangered brush tailed rock wallaby along with nine vulnerable fauna species.

“The Minister can no longer rely on the tired old arguments about jobs. For ten new jobs this mine will devastate the Gloucester Basin with its rich pastoral land and compromise a burgeoning tourist industry.

“Prime agricultural land will be lost along with pristine valley floor habitat because Minister Macdonald continues to believe that mining exploration is every company’s right. 

“This government is doing the dirty work of the mining industry by allowing the expansion of mining with no proper environmental studies.

 “In NSW no government has ever upheld an objection to mining exploration. All licences have become full-scale mines if a company so desires.

“Local community groups have fought a sustained battle against the Duralie mine’s expansion, taking on the mighty mining industry which has a compliant state government as its friend.

“The Greens will continue to work with local community groups fighting mines in such pristine areas in an attempt to protect habitats, rivers and landscapes that once destroyed can never be repaired,” Ms Rhiannon said. 

For more information contact:  9230 3551 or 0427 861 568 



Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Tues, Wed and alternate Mons)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au