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The key management problems associated with coal mining in the Blue Mountains are:
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It's important that you write a letter or a short note to the various decision makers at the local, state and federal government levels. Politicians usually don't read these letters as they come in, but they or their staff read the replies prepared by bureaucrats and note the numbers of letters received on the issues coming into them.
A note to a politician will keep the Blue Mountains mine damage issue in the Government's mind.
If you are unsure who to write to, or don't have time to compose your own letter, send a few of these guide letters:
Since the 1980s the Colong Foundation, the Colo Committee, Blue Mountains Conservation Society, along with the National Parks Association and Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs have brought the plight of the Newnes Plateau to public attention. Longwall coal mining was collapsing literally hundreds of cliffs along the Plateau.
Coal mining on the western side of the Blue Mountains causes up to two metres of surface subsidence. The rock strata above longwall mining operations in the Mountains collapse into the void created by the mining. The ground cracks with subsidence, creek flow and water levels in swamps diminish, and if cliffs or pagodas rest above the coal seam, these topple and collapse.
The response to the damage has produced further monitoring (that reported more cliffs falls), euphemistic language and inadequate protection zones to reduce the damage.
NSW exported 91.5 million tonnes of coal in 2007 contributing to the greenhouse gases that will affect the world our children will live in. The Colong Foundation hopes that Lithgow Council will develop alternate avenues of productive work for their residents that protects the environment and enriching their lives, such as tourism.
Coal mining between the Bell Rd and the Darling Causeway bordering the Grose Valley has diverted water from creeks above (e.g. Jungaburra Brook) into Canyon mine, which discharges polluted water into the Grose River catchment (from "Back from The Brink, Chapter 11" Andy MacQueen, 1997, Andy MacQueen Publ., ISBN 0 646 31901 9). Mining ceased over a decade ago, but the pollution continues.
To the north, 37,250,000 litres are pumped each day from the Clarence, Angus Place and Springvale mines that operate under Newnes Plateau, putting the Nationally Endangered Shrub Swamps on the Plateau at risk. Every litre that goes to the power station is one less for streams and swamps.
Ten years ago, Centennial Coal announced that it intended to stop the discharge of 15ML/day of polluted water from Clarence Colliery into the Wollangambe River and the World Heritage Area. It said at the time that continued the pollution 'is not an option that is acceptable to Centennial'. In 2005 the mine was greatly expanded, but the discharges into the World Heritage Area continue.
In 2006 Centennial Coal won an environmental award for transferring 15.55 ML/day polluted water from its Springvale mine to Wallerawang Power station, and there are plans to also transfer the water from its Clarence mine as well. Another Centennial mine, Angus Place, pumps a further 6.7 million litres of polluted water a day to the Coxs River. The total amount of water being extracted by coal mining operations could suck Newnes Plateau dry.
A coal mine is legally entitled to change the nature of its mining operations. For example, a water diversion could be discontinued if logistical problems arise or costs increase. Consent conditions issued by a local council or the Minister for Planning "have no effect" on mine operations because:
Many conditions laid down in a development consent under planning law for a coal mine have no legal force once a mining lease is granted (eg. protection zones for streams, swamps, cliffs and pagodas).
Section 65(3) of the Mining Act allows mining lease conditions to trump any and all conditions contained in a development consent that relate to mining, mining methods, site rehabilitation, safety measures, or security to be given for those matters.
It is certainly debatable that any condition requiring the transfer the mine pit water from, for example, the Wollangambe River to the Coxs River catchment have legal force.
The mining industry has caused hundreds of cliffs falls despite development consent conditions that prohibit cliff damage. The Gardens of Stone are too beautiful to simply allow the coal mining industry to abuse.
Stop the damage. Take photographs of the damage and send these images with a letter to your local politician and to the papers. Send copies of your images and letters to the Colong Foundation so we can help you take action.
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To comment on this site, email: foundation@colongwilderness.org.au
Last updated Thursday 20-Mar-2008