[Greens-Media] Cobbora mine steals region’s water

[Lee Rhiannon]

Media Release - Greens MP and Federal Senate Candidate Lee Rhiannon -
26 May 2010

Cobbora mine steals region’s water

Greens MP and Federal Senate Candidate Lee Rhiannon, who will speak at
a public meeting in Mudgee this evening to discuss the proposed $1.3
billion Cobbora coal mine in Western NSW, said its four gigalitre
water needs risked destroying the region’s water supplies. Ms Rhiannon
is also concerned about the NSW government assessing its own mining
proposal.

Ms Rhiannon will be speaking at the Cobbora mine public meeting which
runs from 6-9pm, Mudgee Soldiers Club, cnr of Mortimer and Perry Sts
Mudgee on Wednesday 26 May.

“This open cut mine, set to supply three power stations, is a massive
project. Local communities have a right to be concerned about its
impacts and I look forward to hearing from them direct at the public
meeting,” Ms Rhiannon said.

“Surface and groundwater supplies will be heavily compromised by the
mine, potentially destroying the local agricultural industry and, in
turn, tourism.

“With 1.5 gigalitres being drawn from the Cudgegong River and the same
amount from the underground aquifer, it is no wonder there is
considerable community unease.

“The Greens support a call for the appointment of a hydro-geologist to
review the impact of the mine on water supplies.

“Because the government is both the owner and approving authority of
this mine, independent review and assessment is critical.

“The government is repeating a practice, so often seen with other
Hunter coal mines, of turning a blind eye to the havoc mines wreck on
natural water sources.

“The environment, water security and other regional industries such as
agriculture are so often viewed by this government as the poor cousin
of the coal and power industries.

“This region has a $200 million agriculture industry and a $250
million tourism industry.

“The government will no doubt keep boasting about the jobs this mine
will supposedly create, but remain silent on the long term impacts on
water security and employment in other local industries.

“This is a big government owned mine, set to run for 21 years and
forecast to dig up 30 million tonnes of coal a year and produce 20
million tonnes of useable coal.

“If the Keneally government avoid community fears about the impacts of
the mine it risks facing voter backlash in the area,“ Ms Rhiannon
said.


For more information: Lee Rhiannon   0427 861 568
http://nonewcoal.greens.org.au/