Caroona Coal Action Group

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.

 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.