Ben Cubby; 30/1/10; (2 Items)
A vast new coalmine planned for Sydney’s south-western outskirts will damage the city’s natural desalination plant – the ”hanging swamps” that filter pure water down into the Georges River. More than 50 swamps in the little-known Dharawal State Conservation Area, south-east of Campbelltown, will be undercut by longwall coalmines, which the mine owner, BHP Billiton, admits are likely to crack the bedrock and drain swamps. Aboriginal rock art above the mine site is also at risk. The proposal, being considered by the NSW Government, calls for a huge expansion of existing coalmines near Appin, which would lock in mining there for 30 years.
See: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/mining-threat-to-swamps-and-rock-art-20100129-n48w.html;
Legal pressure builds to let the Snowy’s water flow Deb ra Jopson; 30/1/10
The NSW Government risks legal action over its handling of the Snowy River water licence, it was warned yesterday. The Environmental Defender’s Office has told the Water Minister, Phil Costa, that he needs to amend the licence to ensure all rivers affected by the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme get satisfactory environmental releases. Otherwise, a review that has attracted more than 20 submissions will be ”invalid at law”, the office has told Mr Costa. The office is acting for the Snowy River Alliance, which is trying to get the Government to give the depleted river more water.
See: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/legal-pressure-builds-to-let-the-snowys-water-flow-20100129-n491.html
Tags: Aboriginal, Australia, Environment, Trade