Screening and discussion of Rivers of Shame 2
Tuesday July 22nd 5.30 - 7.30pm
Aboriginal Cultural Centre
22 Kenny St
Wollongong
5.30pm refreshments, 6pm screening
RiversSOS update their earlier video showing even more shocking examples of the damage caused by longwall mining to swamps, rivers and aquifers in our area and around NSW. Scientists, community groups, farmers, grape growers and horse breeders unite to warn of the dangers of the state government’s plans to double the volume of coal mining.
Unbelievably the NSW government is willing to risk our precious water sources to reach export targets while mining companies enjoy a welcoming policy environment with minimal environmental protection. They use large scale invasive machinery likely to cause subsidence which can release gases and drain water systems.
Seeing some of this damage in the Cataract, St George and Nepean Rivers, RiversSOS lobbied for a government inquiry into the Southern Coalfields. The report has just been released and is available at :
http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/planningsystem/panel_southerncoalfield_finalreport.asp
Julie Sheppard and Caroline Graham from Rivers SOS will speak about their campaign and their disappointment in the report, which doesn’t go nearly far enough in protecting our waterways.
The Greens have different policies on coal mining from the major parties, but all politicians need to be aware of the impact on local communities and environments. The quality of the coal in the Illawarra makes it particularly attractive to companies such as Gujerat NRE, who are re-opening some of the escarpment mines to produce coal for Indian industry. But the escarpment tops form part of the catchment for Sydney and Wollongong’s water. We all need to understand the risks that the government is taking.