Future of Hunter Valley woodlands endangered by open cut coal mining expansion

"One of the biggest threats to the ongoing survival of endangered woodland ecological communities in the Hunter is the expansion of open cut coal mining," said Ms Rhiannon.

"The three Hunter region woodland ecological communities that were listed by the NSW Scientific Committee are all under threat from mining expansion.

"Short term mining profits should not be allowed to destroy the rich biodiversity of the Hunter's woodlands.

"We are sacrificing these plant communities to mining greed before we even fully understand the role they play in sustaining our environment.

"The endangered Grey Box-Ironbark Woodlands community, found in Singleton and Muswellbrook, consists of at least 38 species whose co-existence is directly endangered by land clearing for new open cut coal mines.

"The endangered Ironbark-Spotted Gum-Grey Box Forest ecological community is formed by at least 44 plant species.

"The Government should take the strongest possible action to protect these woodlands, but we know from experience the endangered listing will not deter the mining industry.

"In 2005 subsidence from long wall coal mining was listed as a key threatening process by the NSW Scientific Committee, yet long wall mining continues to gain development approval in sensitive environmental areas, such as water catchments.

"So too will open cut mining projects continue to get the full support of the NSW Government, despite the recognised threat they pose to the survival of endangered woodlands in the Hunter region.

"On top of climate change, another tragic legacy of the current coal rush will be the permanent loss of priceless natural heritage," said Ms Rhiannon.


For more information: Lee Rhiannon - 9230 3551, 0427 861 568.

Link:  http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/committee/FinalDeterminations.htm