"NSW government backing for a huge underground expansion of Wollongong Coal’s Russell Vale mine is ‘‘irresponsible’’ and puts the interests of big business ahead of the community, a conservation group says.
In recommending approval be given for the troubled Illawarra company to extend the life of its mine by five years, the state’s planning department acknowledged a number of environmental risks.
The planned underground expansion would allow longwall mining under a large portion of protected water catchment area, including much of the reservoir behind Cataract Dam, which supplies drinking water to Wollongong and Sydney."
Illawarra Residents for Responsible Mining spokeswoman Kaye Osborn said the PAC's decision was deeply concerning.
"The proposal will result in about 1.8 metres of subsidence in the Sydney Water Catchment Special Areas and will result in the loss of half a million litres of water per day," Ms Osborn said.
She said these figures came from the Department of Planning and Environment's report to the PAC and it was disturbing the department supported the proposal.
"I think the Department of Planning is out of touch with community sentiment on the value of water. Greater Sydney is the only city in the world that allows mining in its public water catchment."
Mr Baird has dishonoured the promise he inherited from Barry O'Farrell. It seems the lure of easy cash from the mining giants ijust too hard to resist and to hell with the wishes of the people.
He should take note of what happened to the Liberal government of Campbell Newman in QLD.
Luke Foley, Labor's contender, is starting to look like a mighty fine Premier. For starters, he's promised a range of infrastructure projects indepent of the sales or "poles and wires".
