Although Whitehaven refuted landholder’s claims that bores were being affected by the mining operations at Werris Creek, an independent assessment has found “it is likely that coal mining operations at WCC’s Werris Creek mine are contributing to the impacts currently being observed at landholders bores”.

UNSW Australia Water Research Laboratory (WRL) has reviewed available information and identified that Whitehaven Coal Company (WCC) has not undertaken the necessary hydrogeological field investigations, monitoring, analysis and modelling work to demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt that activity at Werris Creek mine has not significantly contributed to the rapid declines in groundwater levels within the aquifers about Quipolly Creek. The review found that Whitehaven’s arguments and assumptions in claiming that drought, landholder water use and Quipolly Dam upgrades were solely responsible for bores drying up “are not supported by logical reasoning and/or evidence”.

The draw down predicted in the … Read More »

Since Hunt’s decision to conditionally approve the Shenhua Watermark Coal Mine, the petition on change.org has over 42,000 signatures and we have received plenty of support through the media. We MUST build on this momentum!

“Be the change you wish to see in the world” – Gandhi

If you think the Shenhua Watermark Coal Project should not be approved you can do ALL of the following:
1. Contact Mike Baird and let him know that he should not approve this new coal mine
2. Contact Tony Abbott and let him know that this project should not go ahead
3. Sign and circulate to everybody you know the change.org petition
4. Circulate this email to ALL your friends, family and colleagues who would think THIS MINE IS A DUMB IDEA!

Why do the Liverpool Plains need protecting??? Watch this video to find out

TOGETHER WE CAN prevent the government … Read More »

The first PAC made a number of recommendations to safe guard mining activities so that the Liverpool Plains and surrounding groundwater aquifers had some level of protection.
Of the 25 recommendations, 19 were rejected.
The Final PAC rejected 3 further issues raised by the community.
This highlights that the consultation process via the Planning Assessment Commission considered the issues raised by the community, however failed to provide a pathway in resolving these issues.
Upon analysis of the recommendations a clear pattern emerges.
IF the mining conditions needed to be more stringent to address the issue raised by the community, but the restrictions would impact on the mining operations then the issues were ignored.
IF the mining conditions related to process or external activities, such as technical working groups then the issues were addresses.
Access the full report outlining the recommendations made and whether the Final PAC determination … Read More »

The PAC Determination Report was released last week and has hit hard. The Commission has recommended that the application be given approval despite the serious concerns raised.
Access the report HERE

The ‘water-trigger’ legislation which Tony Windsor has fought hard for over the past few years has finally been passed to become law. This monumental piece of legislation was passed through the Senate yesterday, Thursday June 20, 2013.
This is huge win for water, with CSG and mining projects now requiring the green light from the Independent Expert Scientific Committee to ensure that these projects will not damage water resources.
This process will allow the Federal Government to step in where State Government has all too often been both the consenting body and a major beneficiary of such projects.
“Federal oversight based on independent science will help protect Australia’s most productive farmland from potential damage and encourage mining companies to pursue projects with lower risk profiles. After seven year fighting alongside local communities for a more balanced mining approvals process, I know farmers and … Read More »

NSW Office of Planning have contacted CCAG regarding proposed meetings in the area next week.
They are spending the day touring the proposed Shenhua site, the offsite areas and other projects in the region.

An independent environmental report has identified a litany of deficiencies, missing data, and failures to meet basic planning requirements in plans lodged by the Chinese mining giant Shenhua for a major coal mine on the Liverpool Plains.

The report, by the internationally respected consultants Earth Systems, has found there are such major gaps in baseline data on water quality and geochemistry that “…it is not possible to fully assess environmental impacts”.

It says not only does Shenhua’s 325-page EIS dedicate just a single page to its risk assessment which “appears to understate the likely impacts and risks” but has also uncovered the fact that Shenhua’s plans involve mining on the iconic floodplains – a clear breach of its exploration licence.

CCAG spokesman Tim Duddy said the Earth Systems review was damning of Shenhua’s approach to environmental protection and confirmed the community’s fears.

“From the … Read More »

An Environmental Consultant has been employed by the Caroona Coal Action Group to review Shenhua’s EIS and prepare a submission for our Group. Personal submissions are also essential in ensuring the communities concerns are raised formally.

SUBMISSION TEMPLATE APRIL 2013 Version1

As we have stated before, there are many concerns with the proposed mine at Breeza. Some of these concerns being dust, noise, flora, fauna, water, aboriginal heritage, social impacts, traffic, hazards, soils and loss of agricultural land to mining just to name a few.

To assist you prepare your personal submission, a guide submission template has been prepared. The guide provides the format and compulsory information that is required by the Department of Planning for a hard copy submission. The guide also includes some of the concerns raised at a recent public meeting at Breeza as well as suggestions from members. The concerns … Read More »

Robbie van Hemert, Natural History Illustrator and artist, has launched her idea of a Land Biography.Robbie’s concept of a Land Biography is aimed at creating a lasting visual record of significant Australian country.She recognises the importance of the Caroona region as a highly productive food growing region and sees the initiative of the community to create a blockade in 2008 as changing the place of agriculture in Australia forever. She sees the purpose of the Land Biography as raising public awareness to the significance of this region to our food and fibre production.The Liverpool Plains is well known for its exceptional soils, reliable rainfall and water resources which makes this region a strategic area in Australia for food production.The first Land Biography in the series, entitled the Majestic Foodplains Project will be a two year rigorous research program, followed by … Read More »