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 »

The EPA hands out little more than a slap on the wrist to Santos for uranium contamination of aquifers near the Pilliga. The offence has attracted a mere $1500 fine, which the EPA claims reflects the environmental damage. Doubtful…. See the full SMH article.

This is after being fined $52,500 earlier in the year for failing to report a spill in the Pilliga. See full article.

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 »

The final report of the Namoi Water Study is finally here.

Download the full report: https://www.namoicatchmentwaterstudy.com.au/client_images/1085523.pdf

The water study meetings held on Tuesday 31st July were well attended. Approx. 60 people attended the session at Gunnedah with a similar number attending in Quirindi. The presentation by Schlumberger Water Services (SWS) was easy to understand and included various scenarios showing the risks to our water resources with the current mining development and proposed mining developments. SWS identified data gaps in a number of areas within the catchment as well as a lack of water quality data which obviously impacts the results they have presented.

We need to acknowledge the efforts of the Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG) led by John Lyle. The commitment these community members made to the study was phenomenal. They attended the many meetings over the life of the study as well as review the presentations and technical reports prepared by SWS. The group worked tirelessly … Read More »