24 Animal Species Under Threat from Longwall Mining

Tuesday, 15 January 2008 10:00

A report by the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) shows that over twenty fauna species are under threat from underground coal mining in Greater Southern Sydney, Total Environment Centre said today.

The just released Threatened and pest animals of Greater Southern Sydney report is the most comprehensive assessment undertaken in the region, which stretches from the southern Blue Mountains to the Illawarra coast. Longwall coal mining, which causes the cracking and draining of rivers and wetlands, is extensively practised in the region and is set to massively expand.

"This major study further advances the case for the protection of rivers and upland swamps from longwall mining. It is pivotal that protection zones are established to prevent longwall mines from having significant impacts on these environments," said TEC spokesperson David Burgess.

Of great concern is the threat posed by mining to upland swamps, with most of the species listed totally or partially dependent on them for habitat. The greatest concentration of swamps is on the Illawarra Escarpment where they act as regulators for the flow of water into the upper Hawkesbury-Nepean catchment.

"Nearly all of these species depend upon upland swamps for their survival. We have already seen a number of swamps drain and erode as a result of mining and the evidence from the Blue Mountains shows a dramatic fall in the water table once mining has passed through," Mr Burgess said.

The DECC report states that mining will be 'very destructive' to upland swamps unless measures are taken now. One example is the Turquoise Parrot, with half of its Woronora Plateau habitat due to be undermined in the near future.

In the Southern Coalfield the coal industry has three mine proposals in the pipeline that would have significant impacts on upland swamps. The future of these proposals will largely depend upon how the NSW Government responds to the imminent findings of an inquiry held throughout 2007.

"We have seen the devastating impacts this form of mining has had, with cracked rivers and cliff falls within Sydney's drinking catchment and damage to man-made infrastructure. Far more subtle, though no less important, is the undermining of swamps. It is high time Premier Iemma listened to the advice of his own agencies and steps in to resolve this issue," Mr Burgess concluded.

Animals Listed by DECC as being Threatened by Longwall Mining in Greater Southern Sydney

Highest Conservation Priority

High Conservation Priority

Moderately High Conservation Priority

Moderate Conservation Priority

N.B.: Other animals potentially threatened by longwall mining subsidence in the Woronora, O'Hares Creek and Metropolitan Special Areas include the Australasian Bittern, Black Bittern, Green and Gold Bell Frog, Grey-headed Flying-fox and the Stuttering Frog.