[Greens-Media] Mining and water forum resolution: Murray-Darling focus

[Lee Rhiannon]

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon - 25 August 2008

Mining and water forum resolution: Murray-Darling focus

Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon reports a community forum on mining and water in Western NSW has resolved to call on the NSW government to place a moratorium on the granting of new water licences to mines in the Murray-Darling Basin until an independent study is conducted on the cumulative impact of mining on water resources in the basin. [Full resolution below].

"The central message from communities across Western NSW is that the government must act to protect the Murray-Darling Basin from further mining-related stress," Ms Rhiannon said.

"The forum called on Water Minister Nathan Rees to uphold his commitment to place a statewide embargo on new groundwater licences to protect the Murray-Darling Basin.

"Mining communities want the Iemma government to place the water security of rural NSW ahead of the short term profits of mining companies, by standing up to mining companies and their excessive requests to access water.

"The government must balance the water needs of everyone in the community, not just tilting to mining companies.

Mining and Water Forum Resolution, Orange, 25 August 2008
This meeting notes:
1)	Mining west of the Great Dividing Range has exploded in recent years - there are now over 100 mines in NSW, excluding coal mines.

2)	Mining is one of the most intensive water extractive industries in Australia.

3)	Mining expansion is placing undue stress on the water resources of the Murray-Darling Basin at a time when much of NSW is still in drought, is damaging rivers and natural water aquifers and cause serious water pollution.

4)	83 new exploration licences were issued recently in NSW, and each new mine will require a water licence to draw on water reserves currently used by local towns, communities and farmers.

5)	Mining exposes the countryside to the potential risk of dangerous chemical spills via the transportation and storage of chemicals, such as cyanide used in gold mining.

This meeting calls on the NSW Government to:
6)	Place the water security of rural NSW ahead of the short term profits of mining companies, by standing up to mining companies and their excessive requests for access to water.

7)	Place a moratorium on any new water licences being granted to mines in the Murray-Darling Basin until an independent study of the cumulative impact of mining on water resources in the Basin has been conducted.

8)	Require Water Minister Nathan Rees to uphold his commitment made on 2 July 2008 to put an immediate statewide embargo on new groundwater licences to protect water in the Murray-Darling Basin.


For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568


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Lee Rhiannon, MLC
The Greens
Parliament of New South Wales
Macquarie St 
Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 
Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
lee.rhiannon at parliament.nsw.gov.au
http://www.lee.greens.org.au/
http://www.democracy4sale.org/ 

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