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Ticking the boxes - another view PDF Print E-mail
Sunday, 05 September 2010 14:39

 The CCAG met with the BHPB to discuss the issues and concerns expressed by the community affecting its future fate. Thankfully the exchanges have become more cordial in the five years that have elapsed since that fateful day in April 2006.
Still many issues remain on the “to do” list or the “taken on notice” but the first glimmer of engagement has been sighted.
Somehow we have morphed into the mine planning stage without the bat of and eye- thankfully, BHPB have agreed to wait for the outcomes of the Namoi Water Study; unlike the works of the other prospectors in the region.
 The Hydrogeology 101 presentation had all been seen before and failed to address many of the concerns of the landholders- once again these concerns were taken on notice:- we eagerly await the answers!
It certainly appeared that some of the companies statements come with the tint of  “rose coloured glasses” . When it came to the figures of how many properties they had accessed or how many agreements they had-  we found that they had stated their success on the generous side to say the least.
Social License? Its is an incredible way off!  At least we have the first stage of sitting at the table and talking, albeit with an occasionally raised voice- at least the message is beginning to filter through. Over the din of confrontation- we may be beginning to get somewhere!
 
Tick the box PDF Print E-mail
Monday, 30 August 2010 21:24
Four years on and today the CCAG community met BHPB and its associates where it all began, at Caroona Hall. Summonsed to hear progress reports on our concerns, we  left with unanswered questions - no progress - and no road forward. We reworked the same ground. Four years on and we are still work-shopping the same issues. The promise : another four years and then a mine development application.

The process has become mine planning, not exploration. From oversimplified maps masking ground water, to inappropriately placed dust monitors, to 'minimize' agricultural water impacts in lieu of 'no impacts', to the promise of 3 mines entrances in Doona forest, but with no underground linkages, and 80 access agreements across 65 farms in the EL... what!!? -  the bureaucratic process spins round and round. And you want a social license to mine? 

 
Blockade Deja vu PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 22 July 2010 00:00

On a clear winter day, Caroona Hall resonated to enthusiastic conversation as CCAG supporters again answered the call on the second anniversary of the Blockade formation. United, the gathering showed the fight and spirit behind the blockade is still present in the community.


CCAG president Sandy Blomfield spoke to the large gathering of blockade participants and supporters, reviewing our achievements and successes, in the ongoing struggle to fairly preserve our land and water.
 
Mining Minister tests the water PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 15 July 2010 00:00

CCAG today welcomed the first NSW Mining Minister to visit, tour the Liverpool Plains and engage directly with the community.

At Caroona Hall, Paul McLeay heard first hand community concerns on aquifer loss and contamination through gas and coal extraction, uncertainty for agricultural businesses, and health concerns linked with coal mining and transporting. Whilst the Minister was unable to satisfy our concerns, he pointed to new technology solutions, admitted ‘challenging’ issues, and took some issues on notice to report back to the community. He also noted that ‘development is good’. The Minister also agreed chequebook co-existence was not feasible ultimately, as the Mining Companies continue to use land purchasing as their preferred solution.

CCAG again called for No Mining or development until the Water Study is completed, a full public release of the Water Study upon completion, statuary exclusion of the flood plains from mining activities, and respect for the triple bottom line.
 
Minister Says No Exploration without Water Study PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 08 July 2010 22:56
Federal Minister for Resources & Energy Martin Ferguson, who visited the Liverpool Plains today, agreed with the CCAG and distanced himself from the NSW State Labor government when he confirmed that a water study should have been carried out before any exploration licenses were granted in the area.

During the visit he guaranteed $1.5 million in Federal funding for the 18 month long water study, tenders for which are currently undergoing assessment.   Hosted on the visit by Tony Windsor MP, the Minister made good on a pledge to see for himself the value of the area in agricultural terms.

We appreciate his visit and look forward to further discussions on how we can save this most productive land and its Murray Darling Basin water supplies from inappropriate mining development.
 
This (mining) life PDF Print E-mail
Monday, 28 June 2010 10:24

 As highlighted again by NSW Farmers Association last week, the evolution of the farcical NSW Mining Act continues well away from public gaze. Whilst the mining industry through the Minerals Council was freely consulted under former Minister Macdonald, the other major stakeholders, the farmers and landholders, enjoyed no such input. The operational 'codes' released by the Department in December 2009 seek to further dumb down mining operational procedures, even to removing EIS obligations . Furthermore, changes to Regulations in Section 62 further simplify mining processes by removing inconvenient impediments, for example dispensing with proximity limits to orchards and crops.

The replacement Minister Macleay has yet to visibly engage, but we trust he will give fair consideration, and full consultation, to ALL stakeholders.

 
Quirindi Office Opens PDF Print E-mail
Saturday, 19 June 2010 12:16

SOS Liverpool Plains have opened an office in Quirindi opposite the Post Office.

There is now a place in town where the community can meet and catch up on what’s happening with SOS Liverpool Plains.

Just like the blockade, the office is manned by a roster of volunteers who are passionate about protecting our most valuable agricultural assets, soil and water, from contamination and destruction by coal and gas mining.

Drop in, have a chat  and sign the petition .
 
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Page 1 of 18

Food Fight

  Latest from your foodbowl .....

Water study consultant appointed.

Qld introduces CSG information portal.

Qld proposes to quarantine land for food.

Water study reportedly referred to ICAC

Ministers confirm study funding after Ferguson visit.

Qld farmers organize to fight CSG expansion.

NSW Government legislation amendment
  CCAG on miners deception
  CCAG on exploration 'halt'

SOS Liverpool Plains urge buy back for Australia

NSW Government V's Supreme Court ruling-
  Macdonalds new legislation here.
  CCAG comments.
  Greens position.
  NSW Farmers comment
  NSW Bar Association condemns  cynical
   move

Haystack Road Coal4 Breakfast - excellent latest newsletter regarding protection of Prime Ag Land in QLD

Blockade standdown -
  NSW Greens support
  NSW Farmers comment.

Supreme Court appeal -  Decision here.
  Tony Windsor MHR comments
  NSW Greens comment

Abbott opposes mining before water study

Environmental Hazards of Oil & Gas Exploration

Commonwealth Intervention on MDB :-
   CCAG supports commonwealth intervention of this vital resource.

Senate Food Enquiry :-
  Peter Draper MP responds .
  Tony Windsor MHR responds.
  Senator Scott Ludlam responds.

Mine Field

3rd Sept Water Study process

20th June Court ruling released

1st June Local Council promotes mining

20st May  Land Access Bill passed.

1st April BHP to appeal ruling. No joke!

24th Mar Blockade lifted. Thank you letter to all participants.

18th Mar Coalition says it intends to protect MDB floodplains and support Tony Windsor's Amendment to the Water Act.
10th Mar NSW Mining Council 'sky is falling' after CCAG court win.  CCAG responds.

2nd Mar Coal V's Ag in Hunter Valley - mp3 audio debate here.

15th Feb CCAG in Mudgee visit - more water under threat.

3rd Feb Sir Lunchalot finally to visit Caroona in March. Expects silver service.....Details TBA.

14th Jan BHP seeking legal costs reimbursement after judgement handdown

6th Jan Court judgment on mining licence validity, ABC,  SMH.

10th Dec Dr Van Stennis talks on coal particle pollution.

25th Nov Study consultants appointed.

24th Nov  RiversSOS in landmark case with Planning to protect NSW water supplies

8th Nov Taste of the Plains @ Caroona

29th Oct Water study funding failure confirmed.

17th Oct  Water study funding crisis?

1st Oct. Alan Jones talks to CCAG's spokesman Tim Duddy.

28th Sept Gunnedah- Senate hearings

18th Sept. Senate Enquiry into Food Production in Australia transcript.

17th Sept. Shenhua  to snub Senate?

20th August. Senate enquiry calls for submissions

4th August. Local miner fined in court.
         CCAG commences court actions.

20th July. ABC 4 Corners - 'The Good Earth'

   & CCAG celebrates community blockade 1st anniversary. 

16th July. Gunnedah Mining Warden again favours BHP in latest case.

July. Crikey Report: CSIRO scientists spruiking for the coal industry?. Seen at the blockade last week, Senators Joyce and Williams, MP Mark Coulton and various media crews.

24th June. Access arrangements decision to be taken to the Court of Appeal, with continuing AFFF support.

17th June. Senator questions Wong about exploration pollution.
   Nationals put motion in Senate supporting prime agricultural land. Read a personal analysis of this motion here.

4th June.  NSW Greens new bill to safeguard Prime Ag Land and Water to be debated. Read all about it and CCAG in Namoi Valley Independent coverage here and here.

28th May. Farmers and supporters considering  further legal options. Macdonald 'conflicted' - Gunnedah Basin community appeals to Premier Rees.  ABC report here

21st May. Mining Warden decision , as revealed to  a packed Gunnedah Courthouse.

20th May. Senators visit Blockade and later hear submissions in Gunnedah.

18th May. Read CCAG's comments on the Water Study recommendations now under review by Minister MacDonald.

13th May. 'Landholders Dispute Information'  in Quirindi Advocate. More of serial polluter BHP's poor practice revealed.

28th April. Final submissions were heard at the Gunnedah Mining Warden Court. Fifty CCAG supporters were in attendance. A decision is expected before end of May.

 Gunnedah Mining Warden Court: transcripts of each day  are available here Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5

Farmer takes fight to miner - SMH

 In maybe the final Mining Warden court hearings before being superseded by Land and Environment court, in Gunnedah earlier in April, BHP and their legal representatives confronted landholders, for access to their land .Santos has ramped up its seismic testing and its PR, inviting selected locals on a 'no photography' tour of its drilling rig at Caroona.

The State Government commissioned consulting firm 'road tested' proposed water study Terms of Reference in meetings mid March in Tamworth, Gunnedah and Narrabri.
The document was enthusiastically critiqued by community participants for its lack of balance, its time and new data collection constraints, its avoidance of risk management and its ultimate irrelevance to Government policy.

In the NSW parliament Minister MacDonald responded robustly to recent events.

Where was the Blockade?
Caroona Coal Action Group