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BHP recycles: old approach now 'new' PDF Print E-mail
Tuesday, 06 October 2009 19:01
Once again, "key stakeholders" have been sent a letter "seeking to understand [their] views about the possibility of establishing underground coal mining in the Caroona region" via face-to-face interviewsethics, but this time with consultants brandishing a one page 'ethics guide'. So, the same old secrecy prevails - the ever hopeful 'divide and conquer' routine.

As we have always said, our community welcomes communication with BHP via public meetings, where all concerns, views and perspectives can be offered in the open.  We are very confident that via such real community consultation, BHP and their high-priced helpers will be certain of "what other interests and concerns exist in the community and what [our] expectations are of [them]."  

Real community consultation is what "key stakeholders" want. Bring it on.
 
Senators Probe Mining Impacts PDF Print E-mail
Saturday, 03 October 2009 20:09
The Senate enquiry into the Impacts of Mining in the Murray Darling Basin heard from mining representatives and landholders in Gunnedah on Monday.  The Mining Council reps were closely questioned about current exploratory activities and agreed our water supplies were "obviously a very critical resource".  However, they continued to labour the point for a case-by-case basis to mining assessments, precisely the sort of approach that has led to the massive environmental, water and community problems experienced in The Hunter and Southern coalfields because cumulative impacts to land and water are not taken into account.  

The Senators questioned Kirrily Blomfield, Bridget Gallagher, Tim Duddy, Rosemary Nankivell and John Clements from Namoi Water about the potential for water diversion and the effects of coal and gas mining on the recharge ridges and shallow aquifers feeding agricultural water supplies.   An ABC Radio interview is available here.

Shenhua which plans to open cut their area was not present, but is expected to provide a submission by early October.  Santos and other gas producers were questioned the following day in Queensland where productive farming land is also at risk.  A transcript of the proceedings will be available next week.
 
Duralie gets a Water Win! PDF Print E-mail
Friday, 02 October 2009 00:00
Another area fighting hard to prevent pollution of their pristine water supplies is Duralie near Gloucester.  After sustained community pressure, Duralie Coal has withdrawn its application to discharge waste mining water into the pristine Mammy Johnsons River, or to irrigate farming land outside its mining lease with it, where run-off flows directly into this river catchment.

This is a classic example of how easily license conditions can be modified and changed once a mining license has been granted, and how quickly political promises that there would be 'no discharge allowed' can be forgotten.   

However, it's also a win for community action and a very positive step by the NSW Department of Planning, clearly now placing a higher priority on this State's precious water supplies.
 
BHP consider tunneling under our rivers and floodplain instead? PDF Print E-mail
Saturday, 26 September 2009 19:48

 Whilst the Senate Enquiry into the Impacts of Mining in the Murray Darling Basin hears personal submissions on Monday in Gunnedah, BHP's latest 'stakeholders report' declares that "While BHP Billiton would consider long wall mining only under the ridge country, it may make sense for some deep underground roadways to be under the area where the floodplains meet the ridges."
Sue and Sally Wilmott at Iguazu Falls in Argentina, where water matters too!
Clearly the intention is now to 'tunnel' between the three ridges under the floodplain to get the coal out to a common (surface based) loader (bye, bye Doona State Forest).  Any such 'tunnels' will also go under the Mooki River and Quirindi Creek. No mention of their fate in the latest report.  (Mining companies don't have a good track record under rivers and creeks...)

At least BHP finally acknowledge our "high value agricultural land"
[and] "regional ground water systems".  It's a start.  We look forward to the independent, catchment-wide water study identifying the critical part our Recharge Ridges also play within this vital MDB catchment.

 
To Mine or not to Mine PDF Print E-mail
Saturday, 12 September 2009 18:22


That is the question.

BHP and NSW Minister Macdonald last week issued a self congratulatory Press Release, claiming to have now excluded the Caroona Exploration Area floodplains from the ravages of mining by virtue of changes to the BHP Exploration Licence. Without any prior consultation with CCAG, regrettably the statement was typically circumspect in its wording, as we have to come to expect.

CCAG spokesperson, Tim Duddy, has again called on BHP to simply rule out all mining on or under the floodplains, full stop.
No qualification.
No double talk.
This is what the community wants.
 
Mine waste capital? PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 05 August 2009 19:54

 In a rowdy, well attended Council Meeting last week, Liverpool Plains Shire sought Councillors support to accept Shenhua mine waste into Quirindi, reportedly for $400k over 18 months. Benefits specified were beautifying the main streets of Quirindi and Werris Creek. Critics claimed this income would scarcely cover costs of repairing roads damaged in transport of this toxic waste. Further meetings have highlighted lack of cost/benefit analysis and detailed costings.  

Gunnedah and Narrabri Shire Councils are having second thoughts; the latter reportedly halting acceptance of any further Santos waste. 

In a win for sanity, the  Quirindi decision is now deferred for further consultation on this vital public issue.

 
Land and Water PDF Print E-mail
Tuesday, 04 August 2009 21:37

NSW Farmers annual conference last week passed motions supporting food security as the agriculture versus mining debate dominated discussions. President Jock Laurie again called on Government to amend mining legislation to increase protection of Prime Ag Land. Delegates voted to lobby Government to halt awarding coal and gas licenses until the results of the independent catchment water study are known.

The conference was addressed by Federal Agriculture Minister Tony Bourke, Federal Opposition Leader Malcom Turnbull,  NSW Premier Nathan Rees and Primary Industry Minister Ian Macdonald. Each referred to the Liverpool Plains in their initial speeches, and all subsequently took questions regarding mining issues in this region.

Locally, federal politicans Senators Nick Minchin and John Williams heard first hand the implications of mining the Plains at a CCAG and community meeting at Caroona Hall, and this week M.P.s Greg Hunt and Mark Coulton visited local affected farms to obtain a fuller understanding of the environmental consequences. Both keenly supported CCAG's call for a full and transparent water study.

 
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Page 7 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