Why wont the Government protect Mammy Johnson River from coalmine pollution?
This week in parliament I will move a motion calling on the Planning Minister Kristina Keneally to reject Duralie Coal's bid to discharge polluted mine water into the Mammy Johnson River near Stroud in the Gloucester basin, and to place an embargo on any future applications by mining companies to pollute the river.
Predictably, the government will block debate of my motion to cover up their unwillingness to put the future of the community and the environment ahead of the short term needs of mining companies.
The Gloucester community along with scientific and planning experts participated in an extensive two year review for the mines Commission of Inquiry back in 1997, which recommended a mining license be granted to Duralie Coal on the basis that it could not discharge excess mine water into the river.
At the time the Department of Land and Water Conservation lodged strong objections to any river discharge from the Duralie mine. Today, local councils, water authorities, environment and community groups have all expressed their opposition to this discharge application. They are also concerned about the mine's plans to irrigate adjoining river flats and floodplains with its excess dirty mine water.
A mining company should not be allowed to spoil such a beautiful river and pollute the drinking water of several townships just because it will be expensive for them to manage the mine's excess water problems on site. Such expenses are part of the business of mining for coal. They should not be foisted onto the community or the river.
The Government should end this farce immediately. By rejecting this application outright and ruling out any future bids by mining companies to pollute the river, they could deliver security to the community that their river will remain protected from mine pollution.
I applaud the many local people who give their time and energy with such determination to protect this river from mining damage. My office has dealt with local advocates who have spent over a decade defending the environmental values of the river. In recent months they have been working very hard to gather community support to oppose Duralie Coal's plans. They have better things to do with their time than write endless letters and submissions to try and save their river, when common sense alone should be able to guide government decision makers to reject the discharge plans.
I will be meeting with concerned residents at a public meeting this coming Saturday in Karuah to discuss the Government's unwillingness to protect the region and its future water resources from mining expansion. If logic and reason will not win the day, public pressure could be the catalyst to make the Government do the right thing.
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