Panel session with Greens, Liberal Coalition and Labor State MPs
From 3pm. Saturday, 20 October 2018
Berrima Village Hall
Six months out from the NSW election, the battle for Berrima heats up with a community Q&A panel tomorrow asking who will protect Sydney's drinking water catchment from coal mining?
Greens MLC and Resources spokesperson Jeremy Buckingham will be joined at the panel discussion by Labor Shadow Minister for Resources Adam Searle and Liberal Goulburn MP Pru Goward.
Hume Coal have plans for a new coal mine under Sutton Forest, near Berrima. It's the first new coal mine proposed in Sydney's drinking water catchment in more than 30 years and faces strong community opposition.
The Environmental Impact Statement revealed the mine will impact groundwater, lowering water levels across 93 bores owned by landholders for up to 65 years. Groundwater will continue flowing into the mine for the 19 years of the mine's operation and an additional three years, although impacts on groundwater could continue for decades.
A groundwater assessment, peer-reviewed by the Water Research Lab at the University of New South Wales, estimates groundwater may be lowered by up 150 metres over an area of 200 square kilometres or more.
Greens Resources spokesperson Jeremy Buckingham said, "A massive coal mine in the Southern Highlands will have an unacceptable impact on the local region's groundwater, Sydney's drinking water, air quality, the environment and the community.
"When receiving a petition with more than 16,000 signatures against the coal mine last year, Pru Goward asked the community to put their faith in the Government having proper checks and balances in place.
"Pru and the Liberal/Nationals Government have failed to deliver. The fact is this NSW Government has spent seven years prioritising the vested interests of the mining industry over the rights and concerns of local communities and the health of our precious water resources.
"It is willing to sacrifice even the essentials of life, like a drinking water catchment, because of the undue influence of the mining lobby on the Liberal/Nationals in NSW.
"The Government continues it pro-mining agenda even after the recent International Panel on Climate Change report warned the world must get out of coal by 2050 for a chance at keeping global warming under 1.5 degrees.
"There should be no new greenfield coal mines in NSW, not in Berrima, not in the Southern Highlands and not anywhere else across our state. Coal mining is unwanted, unnecessary and unsafe.
"We must transition over the next decade out of coal, provide a just transition for coal-affected communities and fast-track investment for 100% energy.
"The Greens stand with the people of Berrima and the Southern Highlands in opposing this harmful coal mine. If Pru Goward can't deliver protection for our precious water and this community, then she should step aside for someone who can better represent the people of Berrima and deliver," he said.
The Q&A is organised by community group Battle for Berrima. More details:
https://www.battleforberrima.c
Event Details
What: Community Q&A on Why is coal mining allowed in Sydney's drinking water catchment?
When: From 3pm. Saturday 20 October 2018
Where: Berrima Village Hall, Old Hume Highway, Berrima.
(Next to Holy Trinity Anglican Church)
Who:
Jeremy Buckingham, Greens MLC and Resources spokesperson
Adam Searle, Labor Shadow Minister for Resources
Pru Goward, Liberal Goulburn MP
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