[Greens-Media] Government must respond to findings against BHP Billiton's mining proposal

[Peter Stahel]

Government must respond to findings against BHP Billiton's mining proposal

NSW Greens MP and mining spokesperson Cate Faehrmann is calling on the
government to urgently introduce changes to the state's mining laws to
protect water sources and high conservation value areas.

"We must significantly raise the bar when it comes to the mining
approval process in NSW," said Ms Faehrmann.

"BHP Billiton's recent decision not to proceed with coal mining under
the Dharawal State Conservation area only came about as a result of
adverse findings from the state's Planning Assessment Commission, not
as a result of tough legislation.

"The Planning Assessment Commission has ruled that it is no longer a
viable proposition for mining to cause more than negligible damage to
pristine or near-pristine waterways in drinking water catchments.
However this is still occurring in NSW.

"It is well documented that rivers, creeks and aquifers in NSW have
been destroyed by subsidence as a result longwall coal mining
occurring under or adjacent to them.

"BHP Billiton's longwall mining activity in the area has already been
responsible for cracking and polluting of the Upper and Lower Cataract
Rivers and the Georges River.

"At the very least the government must assess other proposed and
current mining projects around the state against the recommendations
from the state's Planning Assessment Commission and take action if any
threaten pristine or near-pristine waterways," said Ms Faehrmann.

Media contact: Peter Stahel 0433 005 727