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Leaked coal mining report shows long term impacts ignored
29/05/2008
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon says a report produced by the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) and leaked to the Greens, outlining the damage created by NSW's coal mining industry, shows why the NSW government must impose a moratorium on new or expanded coal mining projects and tighten regulation of existing mine.
"This damning report is an indictment of the inability of Frank
Sartor and Ian McDonald, the ministers responsible for the approval and
operation of coal mines in NSW, to protect the interests of the
community and the environment," Ms Rhiannon said.
"Premier Iemma must apply the brakes to the rapidly expanding coal mining industry.
"DECC
provides clear evidence of what the government is letting coal mining
companies get away with in NSW, destroying rivers and the natural
environments and boosting greenhouse gas emissions.
"The report
paints a disturbing picture of the failure of the Iemma government to
consider the long term, cumulative economic and environmental costs of
coal mining.
"DECC's call for greenhouse gas emissions to be
considered as part of the planning process and cost/benefit analysis
for new mines must be immediately instituted.
"The report states, 'the
community is becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact of
[greenhouse gas emissions] and expects industry and government to act
responsibly and encourage companies to reduce their emissions.'
"The
government can no longer ignore the impact of mining on water, air and
noise quality and the burden endured by communities living cheek by
jowl with coal mines.
"The report reveals wrangling between the
mining and environment agencies as to where mining should take place
and what impacts on water, biodiversity and the natural environment are
tenable.
"The assessment is particularly damning of the failure
of mining companies to properly comply with license conditions,
rehabilitate land and prevent subsidence.
"DECC's frustration at
its bit player status is obvious, powerless in protecting the
environment against the government's mining cowboys Planning Minister
Frank Sartor and Mining Minister Ian McDonald.
"Premier Iemma
should sit up and take notice of the competing interests outlined in
this report between profits from mining and the 'many environmental impacts which need to be managed'," Ms Rhiannon said.
Further information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
[via Lee Rhiannon MLC Media Release Thursday 29 May 2008 link]
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