Put water before coal

Premier challenged to put water before coal: 1km mining buffer zone for all rivers and creeks
Tuesday,19 December 2006

Following revelations of extensive damage in the catchment area of Woronora Dam on ABC TV tonight, Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon, has challenged Premier Morris Iemma to protect NSW water supplies with an immediate ban on further mining within 1km of rivers and creeks in all water catchment areas.

"Premier Iemma must now step in and immediately enforce a 1km mining buffer zone around all rivers and creeks that supply drinking water to the people of NSW," said Ms Rhiannon.

"The extent of damage to the Waratah Rivulet in the Woronora catchment area is alarming and warrants an immediate halt to longwall mining in this catchment until a 1km mining buffer zone can be enforced.

"The shocking images of severe river damage show why water catchment areas in Sydney, the Illawarra, the Hunter and the Central Coast need the protection of a 1km mining buffer zone.

"Premier Morris Iemma needs to place the future of our drinking water ahead of the profits of greedy mining companies.

"While we face a water crisis the NSW Government is letting mining companies expand their damaging practices instead of limiting the threat to our water catchments.

"The only reason that mining damages rivers is because mining companies get greedy and mine too close to rivers, creeks and dams.

"Both Labor and the Coalition parties are too compromised to stand up to these giant mining companies and make them put the public interest and the environment ahead of profit.

"Drinking water levels have never been so uncertain, yet the Government is allowing mining companies to continue a business as usual approach.

"The Government Inquiry into NSW Southern Coalfields announced earlier this month is toothless because new planning laws passed last year, with the support of the Coalition, mean that the Planning Minister can ignore the recommendations of this Inquiry.

"I understand the mining company that wrecked the Waratah Rivulet plans to expand its mining operations right underneath the Woronora dam next year. Under the new laws the Planning Minister could approve this mine expansion without any consultation.

"The Greens will make this water scandal a key election issue," said Ms Rhiannon.