From: chrisandjulie@activ8.net.au
To: bylongmining@craigshaw.com.au; runningstream2850@gmail.com
Subject: Fw: Labor opposed to open cut mining application in Cullen Bullen, NSW
Date: Thu, 20 Oct 2011 06:31:29 +1100
Some very encouraging news and words.
cheers
Julie & Chris
Lithgow Environment Group Inc.
Some very encouraging news and words.
cheers
Julie & Chris
Lithgow Environment Group Inc.
Labor opposed to open cut mining application in Cullen Bullen, NSW
In a statement today in the Blue Mountains Gazette, the Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Mr Luke Foley states that the ALP is "opposed to open-cut mining in the Ben Bullen State Forest".
Read the whole article below or go to this website: http://bit.ly/o6zw9W
"Labor opposed to open-cut mining application in Cullen Bullen NSW"
Blue Mountains Gazette
BY MICHAEL CLEGGETT
19 Oct, 2011 10:46 AM
The NSW opposition has come out against a controversial proposal to expand open-cut coal mining in the Ben Bullen State Forest (BBSF), north of Lithgow.
Coalpac has applied to the state government for permission to consolidate its Cullen Valley Mine and Invincible Colliery operations at Cullen Bullen, a move the Blue Mountains Conservation Society (BMCS) says will damage more than 1000 hectares of pristine bushland and unique rock formations, known as the Gardens of Stone.
Labor environment spokesman Luke Foley told the Gazette he would actively oppose the application.
“We’re opposed to open-cut mining in the Ben Bullen State Forest . . . I think that the conservationists have made the case that the Gardens of Stone has some unique biodiversity and geological characteristics that warrant environmental protection,” said Mr Foley.
A large portion of the land that would be mined if Coalpac’s application were approved by the Department of Planning is within an area the BMCS is campaigning to have declared a state conservation area (SCA). Mr Foley threw his support behind the push.
“We support the BBSF being declared a state conservation area. That would allow underground coal mining to continue, which we support, but would ban open-cut coal mining in that public forest,” he said.
Coalpac has previously argued that investigations in the area had confirmed underground mining was not a viable option.
Mr Foley said the environmental concerns outweighed any potential impact on employment.
“I think we need a balance [between jobs and the environment]. I’m a supporter of underground mining around Lithgow. I have good relationships with people in the Lithgow mining community, including the union, but on this one I think that Labor cannot support this application for open-cut mining in this area,” said Mr Foley “I note that the Lithgow Council, which has always been strongly supportive of the mining industry, has also come out against this proposal,” he said, referring to that council’s unanimous decision last month to oppose the proposed open-cut mining.
Coalpac’s proposal hit a snag in early September when the Department of Planning announced the company’s environmental assessment did not adequately address potential impacts of the project on biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage, noise and air quality, and groundwater.
Coalpac will now have to prepare a new assessment before it is released for public exhibition.
...................
Justin McKee
'Gardens of Stone' Campaigner,
Blue Mountains Conservation Society
http://www.bluemountains.org.au/gos2.shtml
M: 0404 824 020
Twitter: twitter.com/bmcsnsw
'Like' us on Facebook: Blue Mountains Conservation Society
Posted for President
5 comments:
I understand the reason for opposition. Mining can contaminate the tap water reservoir.
I agree with the last comment. A mining site must comply with the standards of mining activity. This will prevent contamination that can be hazardous not only to the environment, but also to the human being.
Mining is a very dangerous activity for people and the environment. However this industry gives countries riches in return that's why many are risking it. It s very important for the mining companies to be responsible for their actions. mining equipment
Mining is indeed a dangerous activity but it is necessary to make natural resources useful. They must put fuel trailers in the mining sites in order to have a safe place to store the minerals.
I agree. Mining sites need to comply with industry standards.
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