[Greens-Media] Chikarovski mine report will pull plug on Central Coast water catchments

[Lee Rhiannon]

Media release - 17 December 2008

Chikarovski mine report will pull plug on Central Coast water catchments 

Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon called on Planning Minister Kristina Keneally to ignore the findings of the Chikarovski Report into underground mining in the Central Coast, released today.

"The findings of the Chikarovski Report are skewed in favour of the coal industry at the expense of the Central Coasts major water catchment", said Ms Rhiannon.

"The report brushes aside community concerns and paves the way for the controversial Kores long wall coal mine, Wallarah 2, to go ahead.

"The proposed underground mine panels for Wallarah 2 coal mine would be only 154m from the Wyong River at some points and would impact aquifers beneath the Yarramalong and Dooralong valleys.

"This project could pull the plug on a major source of the Central Coast regions water supply. The Yarramalong and Dooralong Valleys supply 35 40% of the Central Coasts drinking water.

"The report admits that there is a lack of monitoring of aquifer status, lack of metering of groundwater use, absence of groundwater sharing plans and lack of government investment in groundwater management at the proposed site of the Wallarah 2 mine.

"The Chikarovski Report is as useful as a blindfold in helping the government to assess whether the Wallarah 2 mine should go ahead.

"The Greens call on the government to withhold any decision on the Wallarah 2 mine until there is sufficient information about groundwater in the area.

"Subsidence and cracked river beds caused by longwall coal mining in the Illawarra have drained water from rivers and aquifers.

"This Inquiry is the latest in a series of costly and lengthy inquiries commissioned by the NSW government that are weighted in favour of the coal industry. 

"Two of the four mining experts appointed to the panel of this inquiry have associations with the mining industry. 

"The Greens will continue to work with local residents to oppose the proposed Wallarah 2 mine and protect the water catchments of the Central Coast", said Ms Rhiannon

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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