[Greens-Media] Lead contaminates school drinking water - call to investigate Mudgee coal mine

[Lee Rhiannon]

MEDIA RELEASE
24 July 2007


Lead contaminates school drinking water - call to investigate Mudgee
coal mine

Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on the Iemma
government to investigate the source of lead and other contaminants
found in drinking water near a Mudgee coalmine and establish a regular
monitoring program. 

"The government must take immediate action to ensure the health of
children and adults living in the vicinity of the Wilpinjong coalmine is
not compromised,* Ms Rhiannon said. 

*The cause of the contaminants that has resulted in students at
Wollar Primary School and some locals drinking only bottled water needs
to be urgently investigated. 

"The Iemma government is acting negligently in failing to properly
monitor compliance with mining conditions of approval and enforcing
breaches.

"The closure of the NSW Environmental Protection Agency office in the
Upper Hunter has diminished the possibility of effective action being
taken.

*An EPA office needs to be reopened in the Mudgee or Upper Hunter
area with adequate staff so the noise and dust pollution from the open
cut coalmines can be thoroughly monitored.

*The Wilpinjong mine only opened last October and now locals are
drinking only bottled water. This mine has a life of 20 years supplying
coal to Macquarie Generation. The government has to take action now.  

*I have received numerous complaints from locals who are convinced
coal companies are breaking the consent conditions for their coal mining
operations. 

*Around the Mudgee area locals who now have an open cut coalmine as a
neighbour live with unacceptable dust and noise levels. 

"Dust from coal mines contains fine particles dubbed the 'new
asbestos'.

*I am concerned that residents around Wilpinjong have not received a
satisfactory response since they met with a senior representative of the
Department of Planning and an advisor from Frank Sartor's office on 2
July 2007. I will be taking this up with the Planning Minister,* Ms
Rhiannon said. 


For more information:  Lee Rhiannon * 9230 3551, 0427 861 568