Coal mining and catchments battle goes cyber

Thursday, 01 November 2001 10:00

The new website is intended to show people the growing environmental and water supply disaster caused by coal mining and signals a renewed effort to save the catchments, after a Commission of Inquiry failed to provide protection.

"When you show people the damage being caused by intensive longwall mining -they are outraged at the cracking of rivers, draining of wetlands and pools. The catchments are intended to supply water to millions of present and future generations of people living in Sydney and the Illawarra. We have to get the protection regime right otherwise future mining will expand and cause grave damage to sustainable water supplies," said Keith Muir, Director of the Colong Foundation.

"The proposed BHP-Billiton Dendrobium Mine is a key test case for better catchment protection. Already its sister Elouera Mine has severely cracked two streams, so that no water can flow. We have to learn from the mistakes of the past," said Jeff Angel, Director of Total Environment Centre.

"Unfortunately, the recent Commission of Inquiry report into Dendrobium failed to safeguard the catchments - even though it agreed with our submissions about their high value; the inevitable damage from mining; failure of so-called remediation; and the inadequate Department of Mineral Resources regulation. An extensive system that protects all streams and wetlands is the only way," he said.

The website contains photographic evidence of damage to rivers; analysis of mining impacts; failure of protection measures; and lobbying advice.
It is found at: www.colongwilderness.org.au -
Saving Sydney's water catchments