New Report: longwall mining destroying NSW rivers

Friday, 26 January 2007 01:57

The 'Impacts of Longwall Coal Mining on the Environment in NSW' is the first full state survey and shows that longwall mining, which causes surface subsidence, has damaged many rivers and creeks in all of NSW's major coalfields; is destroying waterways in Sydney's supply catchment; that remediation work to repair the damage is largely ineffectual; and the Department of Mineral Resources is inappropriate as the approval body for new mining projects.

The report sets out the requirements for an Act to protect rivers and calls for its passage as soon as parliament resumes after the State Election. It also reveals that recommendations by an expert government committee to protect the Cataract River have been ignored by the Minister for Mines.

"The NSW Government cannot be taken seriously on water issues until it stops the destruction being wrought upon our catchments by longwall mining", said TEC Natural Areas Campaigner David Burgess.

"Numerous rivers and creeks within Sydney's southern catchments have been cracked and drained. Our latest discovery was the Waratah Rivulet, which makes up to 30% of the Woronora Dam Catchment and supplies Sutherland with its drinking water.”

"Water is the issue at the top of the political agenda but the Iemma Government is simply allowing it to drain through the cracks in areas where longwall mining is taking place. There are no measures being taken to prevent the damage. Mining companies and their Minister Ian Macdonald are making incorrect statements saying that rivers can be 'fixed' or 'repaired' but more mines are being approved with more damage inevitable,” he said.

Areas threatened by future longwall mining activities include the Wyong supply catchment, under the Woronora dam itself and the Liverpool Plains near Gunnedah.

Impacts of Longwall Coal Mining on the Environment in NSW (2007)