Hunter Region

Train horns keeping locals awake

leerhiannon — 2010-06-29T05:58:08Z

Read article in its original context here:

http://newcastle.iprime.com.au/index.php/news/prime-news/train-horns-keeping-locals-awake,433121

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon says residents near the station are complaining that horns are depriving them of sleep during the early hours of the morning.

She says Transport Minister John Robertson saysneeds to quickly find a solution to the problem.

"Gosford Greens Councillor Terri Latella contacted me to gain support for residents living near Gosford station seeking assistance with the noise pollution that they are suffering," Ms Rhiannon says.

"It is unacceptable that this night time noise continue, which is reportedly loud enough to penetrate houses already sound-proofed against activities on the rail line."

Ms Rhiannon raised the issue in State Parliament, asking Mr Robertson if he was aware of the issue and if action is being taken.

Mr Robertson says train horns play a role in warning passengers and rail workers of potential risks.

"I am aware that residents close to Gosford station have complained about an increase in horn usage at Gosford stabling yard," he told Parliament.

"In response to the complaints I have asked RailCorp to review its use of horns in Gosford.

"I am advised that RailCorp has met with affected residents and is examining ways to reduce the noise impact of stabled trains.

"I am comfortable for RailCorp to look at further options to minimise noise in Gosford as long as safety standards are upheld."

Back to the future

leerhiannon — 2009-12-21T03:32:04Z

My old dad called Newcastle a pearler. And this was in the days when BHP dominated the city, smog hung over the suburbs and few could see a future for Newcastle outside heavy industry.

Newcastle's beaches won my father's heart. From the 1930s through to the 1950s this was an exciting holiday destination for a young working class boy from Chippendale. His surfing and fishing exploits and ventures with friends would have been the equivalent of an overseas holiday for many young people today.

Each generation throws up its own descriptors. For my father and his mates pearler was the best.

I have inherited my father's love of this region. I am fortunate to have the Hunter portfolio for the Greens so I can visit this area regularly.

These were some of the thoughts that washed over me as I joined nearly 500 Novacastrians in the annual Walk Against Warming, held this year to coincide with the United Nations Copenhagen conference on climate change.

Many of the people I talked with on Saturday asked me what I thought the conference outcome will be. People are troubled about the future.

Walking along the harbour foreshore I could see two futures for this region one jobs rich from renewable energy projects and spin-off manufacturing plants with sea level rises contained. The other is grim with Newcastle struggling to cope with storm surges and climate catastrophes and a retracting local economy.

The coal industry, poised for a record year of activity in the Hunter, Gunnedah and Gloucester region, is pushing not just Newcastle but the world to a dark, dangerous future. The expansion of Port Newcastle's coal loading activities is set to drive a coal rush as new mines and mine expansions are approved in record numbers. But the coal industry is no longer a saviour for here or anywhere.

With burning and mining of coal contributing more than 35 per cent of Australias greenhouse gas emissions this coal rush cannot continue if we are going to be serious about climate change. Record coal exports will further increase overseas emissions. Port Newcastle can annually load 66 million tonnes of coal, which when burnt releases 174 million tonnes of greenhouse emissions.

For climate justice campaigners this is a huge challenge. So often I am asked what chance is there to rein in human induced climate change when we are up against coal companies that annually make hundreds of millions dollars profits and have the ear of state and federal governments.

It is tough - probably the most challenging task humanity has faced. But the future can be bright and bring benefits to all.

Local manufacturing of wind turbines and solar panels in the Hunter would lock in renewable energy contracts across Asia. TAFE would need to expand to skill up a workforce that could undertake energy delivery systems for the local and overseas market.

These changes would drive up jobs, investment would follow and a wise state government would look to expanding and upgrading public rail and bus services from the suburbs and surrounding areas right into the heart of Newcastle.

The general public, as well as unions, local businesses and the university would all benefit. Not only would we be demonstrating to the world how quickly we can move to clean energy and expanded mass public transport services and so limit the likelihood of catastrophic climate change but we would be rejuvenating communities across the Hunter.

Providing meaningful, sustainable jobs would be a key spin off. These days jobs growth in the coal industry is limited due to the high levels of mechanisation and the retracting future for fossil fuel based energy.

And there is the added bonus that Newcastle's string of stunning surfing beaches will still be pearlers.

Rhiannon launches Newcastle campaign, Hunter at heart of renewables shift

volunteer — 2010-09-10T01:32:17Z

Greens candidate for Newcastle Michael Osborne said: “I am excited about diving into the Greens campaign in the Federal seat of Newcastle.

“The Gillard government’s climate change plan announced last week is nothing more than a talk-fest that will keep NSW and the Hunter locked into coal dependence. It is a plan to stall action for two years.

“Federal Labor has failed the people of Newcastle on climate change – they have stuck their head in the sand and defended the coal industry rather than providing the leadership needed to force a shift to 100% renewable energy.

"The massive proposed Mt Piper and Bayswater coal-fired power plants, which will together potentially add 4,000 MW of coal-fired power, would still go ahead under Labor’s do-nothing plan.

“The Greens’ detailed plan to shift Australia away from dirty coal to be a 100% renewable energy powerhouse draws on our tremendous resources of sun, wind, wave and earth. For the Hunter this means a major boost to jobs growth and the local economy.

“Federal Labor has taken its eye off the ball and the development of renewable energy is uncoordinated. The Greens’ Safe Climate (Renewable Energy Infrastructure) Bill will give Infrastructure Australia new planning tasks to map renewable energy resource areas and to create renewable energy development zones with streamlined approval processes,”said Mr Osborne.

Greens Senate candidate Lee Rhiannon said: “Michael is a passionate and knowledgeable candidate, with a long-term commitment to the people of Newcastle. He has a proven track record as a councillor on Newcastle City Council for 6 years.

“I am looking forward to working with Michael on the Greens campaign to shift away from coal-dependence to 100% renewable energy. In NSW the Hunter will be the heart of this work.

“The Hunter has six coal fired power stations and has experienced a six fold increase in open cut coal mining over three decades. A recent government report confirmed that the area experiences higher rates of asthma, cancer and cardiovascular disease.

“Shifting to renewable energy would mean a healthy local environment, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and more jobs in the Hunter.

"Research by the Centre of Full Employment and Equity at University of Newcastle identified a net gain of between 10,000 to 15,000 new jobs if the Hunter’s coal-fired power stations were phased out and local energy needs were met by renewable energy,” Ms Rhiannon said.

Contact Lee Rhiannon 0427 861 568, Michael Osborne 0439 442 984

Greens call on Bickham Coal to come clean on coal mine expansion plans

susie — 2010-03-03T00:12:37Z

"Bickham Coal should come clean about its future plans to expand into underground mining west of the New England Highway," said Ms Rhiannon.

"The community is rightly concerned about the impact of subsidence from underground coal mining on the nearby Pages River.

"Bickham Coal is not fooling anyone with its response that it has no plans to do underground mining west of the New England highway. The gas company's submission clearly exposes their plans.

"Bickham Coal has no doubt made long term plans to exploit local coal reserves using whatever mining method they see fit. The environment or local community needs rate a poor second with this company.

"It's standard business practice in the NSW coal industry to get approval for a small mining project and then apply for one extension after another, until they have a huge mine.

"We have seen this approach with BHP Billiton's Mt Arthur mine in Muswellbrook. It has expanded from one pit to a series of open cut and underground mines. Bickham looks set to go the same way.

"The community has lobbied to protect the Pages River from mining impacts for years. They were right all along not to trust Bickham Coal.

"Coal mining expansion is open slather in NSW. This incident show that the Department of Planning and the Department of Primary Industries will go to any length to encourage more mines in NSW.

"It is short sighted for the Government to encourage such a risk to both local water resources and climate change.

"Our future needs less coal, not more," said Ms Rhiannon.

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

See the Greens' No New Coal campaign at: http://nonewcoal.greens.org.au

Major parties vote against Hunter & Lithgow coal health study

aorme — 2010-06-10T07:21:55Z

"In the face of compelling evidence that the health of residents in the Hunter and Lithgow regions is suffering, the opposition and government joined forces to vote down the Greens motion calling for an independent population health study and better monitoring and enforcement measures," Ms Rhiannon said.

"The failure of the Keneally government to allocate funding in this week's budget to the study suggests it is not committed to finding answers.

"If a study finds evidence of a link between the coal and power industries and ill-health the government could be liable and would be forced to reassess its existing firm relationship with these polluting industries, " Ms Rhiannon said.

Motion voted down by the major parties in the NSW Upper House

3. That this House calls on the Government to:

(a) restore its faith with the Upper Hunter community by agreeing to design and undertake a comprehensive independent population health study to assess the impact of coalmining and coal-fired power stations on the health of residents in the Hunter region, and any impact on the local water supply and food chain,

(b) extend NSW Health’s investigation of the link between the coal and power industries in the Upper Hunter and poor health outcomes to the Greater Lithgow Area,

(c) ensure adequate air quality monitoring networks in the Upper Hunter and Greater Lithgow areas, that can measure particles to 2.5 microns, and can test and analyse the composition and toxic properties of dust pollution in these regions,

(d) make the findings of the health study and all pollution monitoring and any pollution testing data readily available to the public in an accessible format via the internet, and

(e) establish permanent and well resourced EPA offices in the Upper Hunter and Lithgow regions to investigate and monitor coal mining and coal-fired power related pollution.

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568

Local residents forced into court to save homes from jet fighter noise

volunteer — 2010-09-10T03:45:25Z

See: Fighters to roar over aircraft noise near the Williamtown RAAF base in Port Stephens

Ms Rhiannon said: “It is appalling that local residents are now forced to appeal to the courts, after being effectively ignored in negotiations between the Federal Department of Defence and the local council over new noise exposure boundaries for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.

“The community consultation process was a sham and thousands of local residents will face unacceptable noise levels and plummeting house values from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.

“There is an increasing conflict between the urban population in Port Stephens and the Defence aircraft operations.

“Rather than consulting with the local community and working to lower noise levels, the Department of Defence are instead moving to increase noise levels and the number of residents affected.

Ms Davis said: “Low flying RAAF jet fighters are making the lives of residents living around the Williamtown Base miserable.

“The introduction of the Joint Strike Fighters in 2017 will mean that more residents will be impacted by even noisier aircrafts flying low over their homes.

“Locals will have to foot the bill for costly insulation and modifications to their houses and will be forced inside to shelter from the noise.

“I hope the threat of a court case will force the Department of Defence and local council to revise any expansion to existing noise exposure boundaries.

“The Greens back the growing call for the RAAF Williamtown base to be moved, and for the government to immediately ensure that all flights after 10pm are stopped and that aircraft do not fly low over residential areas and schools.”

Contacts:
Lee Rhiannon 0400 350 067,
Jan Davis 0417 422 738

Coal dust network 'rush' risks compromising quality of monitoring

aorme — 2010-05-28T03:33:53Z

'Rush to introduce Hunter coal dust monitors', SMH, p 3.

"There are still many unanswered questions about the scope and quality

of this monitoring network that must not be overlooked before they are

installed," Greens health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said.

"The government must ensure the network operates to world best

practice, delivering results that allow health impacts to be properly

assessed.

"Consultation with Hunter coal communities and local health experts

should not go out the window in the government's rush to manage high

levels of concern about the impacts of mining and power industries on

health.

"A NSW Health report on Hunter health released a fortnight ago revealed

higher rates of asthma and respiratory disease, cancer incidence and

mortality and death from cardiovascular disease.

"It is imperative that top level data is collected from this network to

allow more research to establish if this is a link between poor health

outcomes and coal mining and power stations.

"Greens research shows Upper Hunter mining companies commonly breach

license conditions and are rarely subject to infringement notices or

prosecution.

"It’s time the government re-established a Department of Environment,

Climate Change and Water office in the region, following the closure of

the Muswellbrook EPA office.

"Further study is also needed to better understand the health

implications of mining and coal-fired power stations for water quality,

noise and vibration pollution and contamination of the food chain.

'Ultimately the Keneally government must change its culture and act as

a defender of public health, not just a friend of the mining industry,"

Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568

Visit Lee’s Coal Health Study Now! site

Delayed Hunter Health report: Greens use parliament to call for release

leerhiannon — 2010-07-09T03:50:21Z

"Health professionals and community groups asked for a comprehensive population health study but instead got a review of existing health data. Now the government can't even produce that on time," Ms Rhiannon said.

"The delay in releasing this report suggests to the community that the government promised the review to hose down public outcry rather than seriously address concerns.

"The Hunter community has spent years shouldering the health burden of the coal mining and power industries. While the government's response to concerns has been inadequate, the very least it can do is release data when promised," Ms Rhiannon said.

Lee Rhiannon's motion

1. That this House notes that:

(a) health professionals and community groups in the Hunter region are seeking a comprehensive population health study to investigate the possible links between the region's coal mines and power plants and poor health outcomes in the area,

(b) on 12 April 2010 a representative of NSW Health said it would publicly release, within a fortnight, a report on all available routinely collected health information about the people cared for by the Hunter New England Area Health Service, including residents of the Hunter Valley who may be exposed to air pollution from coal mining activities or power station emissions,

(c) the report is to contain information about respiratory diseases, asthma, cardiovascular diseases and deaths and cancer incidence and deaths for the Hunter New England Area Health region, by sub-regions, and

(d) the Hunter health report is now more than three weeks late.

2. That this House calls on the Government to release the report on routinely collected Hunter region health data promised at the latest by 27 April 2010 but now overdue.

For more information: 0427 861 568

Camberwell reports show need to reject new mines

aorme — 2010-07-13T01:48:55Z

"Despite Minister Kelly's attempt to dress up the Camberwell review as revealing no major problems, it shows air and noise pollution levels are high and will only increase if the three new proposals are approved," Ms Rhiannon said.

"The Camberwell Village has been ravaged by mining, with residents trapped by mining developments on three fronts. This review should see the three new mining applications rejected, not be spun as a reason for them to now proceed.

"The government's response to the review is largely limited to strictly monitoring conditions of consent designed to limit pollution. This is what should have been done for years.

"Minister Kelly's pledge to establish a cabinet mining sub-committee is old news and is yet to be activated. The community would understandably view this as window dressing.

"This review reveals the results of the government's unrelenting expansion of mining, blind to community voices raising the alarm about dust and noise pollution.

"One of the air quality reports show ultra fine particulates, what scientists claim as the new asbestos, exceed national goals. Fine particulate standards are breached on up to 9 percent of days a year, and predicted to rise in future.

"The government admits breaches of air quality standards will have adverse health impacts, particularly on asthmatics and people with heart conditions.

"Cumulative mining noise levels at Camberwell Village are high and expected to rise.

"The additional air quality report, paid for by mining applicants, admits that in some areas results could not be provided because no air quality monitors have been in place, despite a long community campaign for better monitoring.

"The government has sat on several of these reports since June last year and it appears only media pressure saw their release. The appropriate response is to reject new applications for the area," Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568 Visit Lee's mining campaign site at http://nonewcoal.greens.org.au/

Chinese coal company's Hunter expansion plans: Macdonald should reveal details

leerhiannon — 2010-07-09T03:51:32Z

(Newcastle Herald, page 4,http://bit.ly/ddD8lC)

"The Chinese coal giant's plans for the Hunter only became public knowledge when a company representative in Beijing released a statement," Ms Rhiannon said.

"China Shenhua representatives have indicated they are interested in building a new power plant in the Hunter.

"NSW government ministers should keep the people of NSW informed on proposed major mining and industry developments.

"China's biggest coal mining company has developed a close relationship with Mining Minister Ian Macdonald by paying $300 million for a license to explore for coal in the Liverpool Plains area.

"It could be judged that the $300 million China Shenhua paid to the NSW government to explore for coal in the Watermark region of the Liverpool Plains has opened the door for other discussions about a new coal fired power plant in the Hunter.

"If this has happened the public have a right to know what the NSW government is working on with foreign owned mining companies.

"With all the recent revelations about the health problems associated with mining and heavy industries, the possibility that the government is even considering expanding the coal fired power industry is alarming.

"Premier Kristina Keneally must rule out this bankrupt proposal.

"For too long the Hunter has shouldered the burden for NSW's economic growth, with resulting damage to the environment and public health.

"A new power station risks further compromising residents' health and increasing greenhouse gas emissions for the sole aim of boosting the profits of a Chinese corporation," Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information: 0427 861 568

State Greens call for Newcastle rail reassurance

susie — 2010-03-15T05:30:54Z

As the date for the state government’s long-awaited report on the

Newcastle rail line approaches and vested interests step up their

political pressure to cut the city’s rail line, the Keneally Labor

government must make a clear commitment to maintain and upgrade the

current rail line and service to Newcastle station, Greens MP and

transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said.

"The Greens call on Premier Keneally to put people before profits, and

not to condemn Newcastle to a car-dependent future for the sake of

self-interested developers," Ms Rhiannon said.

"The NSW Labor government is already on the nose for its failure to

adequately plan for and provide public transport infrastructure and

services. It can ill-afford another transport policy debacle.

"Retaining and improving Newcastle’s rail transport infrastructure and

services will provide a sound basis for the revitalisation and future

sustainability of the Newcastle CBD.

"Greens analysis of figures provided by the Government’s own Hunter

Development Corporation shows that retaining and improving the rail

line is a vastly superior option to cutting it.

"The recent announcement of a major university campus development in

Honeysuckle demonstrates more than ever how vital the rail line will

be to the city’s future.

"A rail line is essential to deal with the thousands of students who

will require transport to a campus that will extend from at least

Civic to Wickham," Ms Rhiannon said.

Ms Rhiannon also called on the federal government to

confirm that any federal infrastructure funding assistance provided to

Newcastle will be used to expand and improve the city’s rail system.

"Federal funding for the Newcastle CBD should go to initiatives that

will both revitalise Newcastle and deliver improved public transport.

"Worthwhile projects would include narrowing and landscaping the rail

line, and installing safe, controlled, at-grade pedestrian crossings

between Wickham and Newcastle stations," Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information or comment: Lee Rhiannon (Member of the NSW

Legislative Assembly), 0427 861 568.

Greens call on Bickham Coal to come clean

susie — 2010-04-01T02:45:11Z

"Bickham Coal should come clean about its future plans to expand into underground mining west of the New England Highway," said Ms Rhiannon.

"The community is rightly concerned about the impact of subsidence from underground coal mining on the nearby Pages River.

"Bickham Coal is not fooling anyone with its response that it has no plans to do underground mining west of the New England highway. The gas company's submission clearly exposes their plans.

"Bickham Coal has no doubt made long term plans to exploit local coal reserves using whatever mining method they see fit. The environment or local community needs rate a poor second with this company.

"It's standard business practice in the NSW coal industry to get approval for a small mining project and then apply for one extension after another, until they have a huge mine.

"We have seen this approach with BHP Billiton's Mt Arthur mine in Muswellbrook. It has expanded from one pit to a series of open cut and underground mines. Bickham looks set to go the same way.

"The community has lobbied to protect the Pages River from mining impacts for years. They were right all along not to trust Bickham Coal.

"Coal mining expansion is open slather in NSW. This incident show that the Department of Planning and the Department of Primary Industries will go to any length to encourage more mines in NSW.

"It is short sighted for the Government to encourage such a risk to both local water resources and climate change.

"Our future needs less coal, not more," said Ms Rhiannon.

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

See the Greens' No New Coal campaign at: http://nonewcoal.greens.org.au

Unanimous vote for health study

leerhiannon — 2010-05-20T00:25:32Z

Read the artivcle in its original context.

http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/news/local/news/general/unanimous-vote-for-health-study/1825038.aspx

Cessnock councillors have unanimously adopted a Greens proposal for a comprehensive independent population health study to assess the impact of coal mining on Hunter residents.

Greens councillor James Ryan said it was clear the increase in mining activity in the Hunter region had influenced the health of residents.

“It is important to have a clear and open process to inform residents of how fine particles, dust and water pollution are affecting our valley,” Cr Ryan said.

“Open cut coal mines in the Upper Hunter pollute the region with coal dust and toxic chemicals.

“Industry figures showed that mines around Singleton in 2008-09 emitted 18 million kilograms of dust, 7.4 million kilograms of nitrogen oxides and 4.9 million kilograms of carbon monoxide.”

Greens MP and Hunter spokesperson Lee Rhiannon called on the State Government to conduct the study as a matter of urgency following reports that the Hunter had the highest proportion of children in NSW diagnosed with asthma.

The 2007-08 report on child health found 25.6 per cent of two- to eight-year-olds and 39.8 per cent of nine- to 15-year-olds living in the Hunter New England area had been diagnosed with asthma.

“Premier Kristina Keneally needs to step in and fast-track a comprehensive population health study in the Hunter,” Ms Rhiannon said.

“Setting up an expert air quality panel is a start, but it should be overseeing a comprehensive health study, not pondering whether one is needed. Coal-affected communities and the Greens have been calling for this study for years.”

The NSW Government voted in April against a Greens motion for the population health study following an investigation into five people with brain tumours in Singleton. The Singleton Cancer Cluster Investigation concluded the tumours were a chance occurrence.

“The high numbers of young asthma sufferers puts the pressure back on the Government to set up the study and enforce the conditions of consent coal mines and other industries operate under,” Ms Rhiannon said.

Call for Premier to back union manufacturing plan to boost Hunter jobs

aorme — 2010-05-20T22:58:59Z

"The AMWU's report Build Them Here should be adopted by the government as it provides a plan to boost jobs and the local economy," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Treasurer Roozendaal is not working in the interests of NSW with his push for transport manufacturing contracts to go to China.

"This is a crude attempt by the Treasurer to make his budget look better by using cheaper overseas labour.

"Mr Roozendaal and his department need to work with the manufacturing union on retaining and growing skilled jobs in the Hunter and other regional areas.

"The issue of sending NSW jobs overseas will be a test for the Premier. She should overrule Mr Roozendaal on his irresponsible plan that mirrors former treasurer Michael Costa's favoured option of buying trains direct from China.

"The Treasurer's plan would be a blow to the Hunter, a traditional manufacturing area.

"A report from the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union estimates that if the government pushes ahead with its China-made plan for NSW trains and buses 2,550 direct and indirect jobs will be lost.

"Today the Premier should advise Mr Roozendaal to get a copy of the AMWU's Build Them Here report that proposes a $4 billion plan that would create thousands of jobs over the next decade in manufacturing ferries, rail cars and buses in NSW," said Ms Rhiannon.

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

Hunter health data review reveals a better study needed

leerhiannon — 2010-07-09T03:49:32Z

“This report is welcome but tells us what we already know: Hunter residents suffer higher rates of ill-health in some areas but we cannot yet link this to the coal and power industries because of inadequate data,” Ms Rhiannon said.

“Without an accurate picture of the links between health and pollution levels the Premier is free to keep dawdling and denying there is a problem.

“What is clear is that the Hunter experiences higher rates of asthma and respiratory disease, cancer incidence and mortality and death from cardiovascular disease.

“The government must quickly move beyond this report to collect the data that will provide conclusions about the cumulative health impacts of pollution from coal mining and power stations.

“It is unfair for the government to reap the riches of the coal and power industries without directing funding to ensure that health risks are fully understood.

“Hunter residents, who have shouldered the burden of pollution from heavy industry for decades, would have a right to feel resentful that the government has failed to properly monitor pollution levels.

“The report sends Premier Kristina Keneally a message to quickly initiate a comprehensive independent health study and act to install comprehensive air quality monitoring systems that measure fine particles and toxic dust.

“We know the cumulative health impacts of the coal and power industries is a new area of study and only just beginning to be understood.

“Missing from this report, which focuses on air pollution, is an analysis of drinking water from domestic rainwater tanks in coal and power affected communities.

“The project also fails to examine the impact of noise and vibrations from mining or potential contamination of the food chain.

“The Hunter now has six coal fired power stations and has experienced a six fold increase in open cut coal mining over three decades. The impact of this on residents’ health deserves thorough examination,” Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information: Lee Rhiannon 0427 861 568
Visit Lee’s Coal Health Study Now! Site:
http://coalhealthstudynow.wordpress.com/

The report on the NSW Health website