Our thanks to each and every one of the 356 people who attended the SOS Liverpool Plains ‘Film & Forum’ on Wednesday night at Quirindi RSL.

The audience was visibly shocked to see the damage caused by long wall mining in NSW depicted in the second Rivers of Shame film. That there has to be a second film underlined how little the NSW government cares about the damage to water supplies caused repeatedly by coal-mining and the total failure of ‘remediation’.

Personal accounts, from those who currently experience coal mining in their communities, were shared: the disturbed sleep, the failing health, the shattering of community spirit and amenities, the promised economic boom that doesn’t come, the unacceptable pollution and poisoning of the people, land, air and water that does.

Young and old asked their questions. Council members added their supportive statements. All were given a chance to be heard or have their questions answered by the panel. A night of real community consultation occurred.

 When CCAG Chairman Doug Ranken asked for a show of support for the approach CCAG is taking – to make sure that independent checks and balances are properly carried out so that no damage is caused – the audience was united and unanimously behind CCAG.

The line in the soil has been drawn. Watch this space.