BHP leads attack on water catchments

Wednesday, 20 June 2001 10:00

The mine is a clear sign that BHP and the coal industry are intent on intensively mining our pristine catchment areas - and we have embarked on a major campaign to protect these areas, the groups said.

"While the Government is spending millions of dollars protecting the catchments and urging Sydney residents to conserve water, BHP's proposed Dendrobium mine in the south west catchments, will defeat these efforts," said Mr Keith Muir, Director of the Colong Foundation for Wilderness.

"We fear national parks will be next; they are in a direct line after the current mining leases have expired. According to the latest research, river beds will be cracked, wetlands drained, cliffs will collapse and pristine aquatic ecosystems destroyed. Several months ago we sought urgent action from the NSW Minister for Mines, but he has ignored us. The community should be informed about this growing environmental disaster," said Jeff Angel, Director of Total Environment Centre.

"BHP has put its plans before the needs of society for clean water. The Government has little choice but to reject this proposal - our great natural areas and the water supply to four million people is not worth the greenhouse polluting coal supplies. BHP's proposed mine would damage Sydney's inner catchments that for decades have been considered so sensitive that any public entry is strictly prohibited," said Andrew Cox, Executive Officer of the National Parks Association of NSW.

The proposed Dendrobium underground coal mine, located between the Avon and Cordeaux Dams, would use longwall mining machines that have already cracked and drained upper parts of the Georges River, the Nepean River and the Cataract River.

BHP's environmental report on subsidence advises that the cliff lines will fall, creek beds crack and rock pools starved of water. The report also mentions soil slumping and landslides into creek beds and stored waters could degrade drinking water quality, upland swamps will be drained and coal gas may kill the native vegetation.

The subsidence report also warns that drainage of water from the Avon and Cordeaux Dams is possible and the potential for an inrush of water into the mine is also noted - (this is similar to the Gretley Mine disaster scenario that killed six miners at Wallsend near Newcastle).

This proposed mine total disregards environmental and water quality concerns and should be quickly rejected by the Government