[Greens-Media] Planning Minister Kristina Keneally must rule out any future sand mines at Somersby

[Susie Gemmell]

Media Release
10 August 2009

Planning Minister Kristina Keneally must rule out any future sand mines
at Somersby 
 
Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon today congratulated the
Somersby community on its hard fought win following the announcement
that Planning Minister Kristina Keneally has refused the Somersby Sand
mine application, and called on Minister Keneally to rule out any future
applications to build a sand mine at the site.

"The Greens congratulate the Somersby community on a hard fought
campaign spanning 13 years to stop a sand mine being built next to their
school," said Ms Rhiannon. 

"The Somersby community should never have had to fight so hard against
the Government to stop a sand mine from being built just 260 metres from
their local school.

"To reassure the community that their fight is over, I call on Planning
Minister Kristina Keneally to rule out any future applications to build
a sand mine on the site.

"Further, Minister Keneally should step in and ensure that the land is
re-zoned by local councils so that the community is never again
threatened by the encroachment of extractive industries.

"Minister Keneally needs to backup the flourish of her refusal
announcement today with a strong commitment to rule out sand mining in
Somersby once and for all," Ms Rhiannon said. 

In June 2009 The Greens won support for a motion in the NSW Upper House
calling on the government to delay making a decision on the proposed
Somersby sand mine until further independent background testing
regarding the dangerous carcinogen ‘crystalline silica’ could
establish the risk the mine posed to nearby local school children and
residents. 


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



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Susie Gemmell
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (Mon-Thur)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0431 458 102
Email susie.gemmell at parliament.nsw.gov.au
http://www.leerhiannon.org.au
http://www.democracy4sale.org/ 
http://twitter.com/leerhiannon