[Greens-Media] Rezoning to protect Somersby from sandmining a community win

[Lee Rhiannon]

Media Release - Greens MP Lee Rhiannon Greens Federal candidate for
Robertson Peter Freewater- 28 May 2010

Rezoning to protect Somersby from sandmining a community win
Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon today congratulated the
local Somersby community for its win in securing the rezoning of land
at Somersby to protect it from future sand mines and the amendment of
relevant state environment plans.

In April Ms Rhiannon put a motion to NSW Parliament calling for the
sand mine site to be re-zoned to exclude extractive industries.

"Today's announcement is a clear win for the community.

"It must be very reassuring for residents to know they never have to
fight another inappropriate mining proposal on their doorstep.

"Now this important precedent has been set, the Minister for Planning
should do the right thing and reject the Rocla sand mine at Calga.

"Protecting Somersby but leaving the Peats Ridge and Calga communities
to the fate of the Calga open cut sandmine makes no logical sense," Ms
Rhiannon said.

Greens Federal Candidate for Robertson and Gosford Councillor Peter
Freewater, said:

"The time and energy invested in this battle by the community has been
enormous. Residents should never have had to do it.

"The NSW government should have said no from the outset to putting a
sand mine so close to a school, residential housing and local
agribusinesses.

For more information:
Lee Rhianon 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
Peter Freewater 0410 508 699