Upswell of community concern over mining expansion

Media release - Jeremy Buckingham, Greens MP - 18 July 2011

Upswell of community concern over mining expansion

Greens MP and mining spokesperson, Jeremy Buckingham says an organic upswell of community concern over the rapid expansion of mining is the most stringing impression on the first half of his tour of mining affected communities.

The tour has so far taken in the western coal fields of  Capertee Valley, Running Stream, Rylstone and Mudgee; Coal mines at Ulan, Moolarben and Wilpinjong and the rapidly disappearing town of Wollar.  Jeremy has met with residents in Bylong and Bunnan, spoke to hundreds of concerned landowners at the hall in Baerami, Upper Hunter and met with community in Camden Haven and Taree.

"Everywhere I go people are extremely concerned about the rapid expansion of coal and gas and want the government to step in to protect their land and communities," said Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham.

"There is a growing concern that the expansion of mining will not benefit local communities, but in fact wreck them.

"Towns and villages that have been virtually destroyed and swallowed by the mines such as Ulan and Wollar stand as a warning for communities facing mines and gas, such as the Bylong Valley.

"In many places the coal and gas companies are coming in with their large cheque books and dividing the community, picking off land owners one-by-one until the remainder are forced to sell or go - leaving once healthy towns deserted and productive land fallow. 

"It is clear that coal seam gas does yet not have a social licence to operate.  Everywhere I go there is a new local community group that has formed to try to stop the gas company operating in their area.

"When a Greens MP rolls into a small rural village like Bunnan and is met by half the town wearing 'No Gas' t-shirts, you know something big is going on.

"Country NSW is in revolt against the expansion of coal and gas.  They want a future for their community that revolves around agriculture, a healthy environment and a balanced local economy.  They don't want to be swallowed up by a coal mine, their land pockmarked by gas wells or their precious water put under threat," he said.

Jeremy will be touring Gloucester, Stroud, Gunnedah, Bellata, and the Pilliga over the the next few days.

Contact: Max Phillips 0419 444 916