There is any amount of discussion on the "request to pollute" Mammy Johnsons river (Stroud / Port Stephens area of NSW) by Duralie Coal. See article Marine Park Threat
Without simply adding to the mountain of information, here is an extract or two from local groups valiantly fighting to save the pristine river from the greed of the miners. The whole area needs public support to prevent this unconscionable destruction of our environment and in particular, the destruction of river systems.
A link to further information on regional coal mining problems and effects : Misty Ridge
For those that may read on, see if you can reconcile what is being attempted here with what the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change states :
"The decline of biodiversity continues to be one of the most challenging environmental issues facing NSW, particularly in light of the potential impacts of climate change"
I would be interested to understand how the pollution of a pristine river system correlates with this issue.
" Duralie Coal are at it again
Duralie have not been granted approval at this stage for their so-called "trial discharge," but have already started procedures to seek approval for permanent discharge over 20 years via Coalshaft Creek or directly into Mammy Johnsons River.
We believe this is an attempt to try and come through the back door. In August 2008 Gloucester/Duralie Coal applied to vary their Environmental Protection Licence to allow them to discharge 500 million litres of dirty mine waste water directly into Mammy Johnsons River over a 2 year period on a so called "trial basis".
Coalshaft Creek has already been turned into a concrete drain that has been diverted around the Duralie open-cut Mine and flows directly into Mammy Johnsons River, below the mine.
Mammy Johnsons River flows into the Karuah River and out into Port Stephens. We need all the help we can get to protect our precious rivers & connected waterways. If we sit back and do nothing our rivers will become nothing more than drains for coal mines.
Our government should NEVER EVER allow this to happen to any Creeks, Rivers or Water Sources in NSW/ Australia.
Duralie’s Conditions of Consent do not permit river discharge and we believe that river discharge will have a detrimental impact on our rivers & connected waterways.
• We believe the Government has a DUTY of CARE to the downstream communities and should stamp “river discharge” never to be permitted."
And a summary of the mine approval ...
" Approval was Granted for Duralie Open-cut Mine adjacent to Mammy Johnsons River on the 13/8/97 by the Minister for Planning Craig Knowles
Conditions of Consent - Water Management
“There shall be no discharge of dirty water (as defined in note 4) from the mine to Mammy Johnsons River”
Measures to prevent the quality of water in Mammy Johnsons River being degraded below the beneficial use of the water prior to commencement of mining operations.
Identification of any possible adverse effects on water supply sources of surrounding/downstream land holders as a result of the mining operations, and implementation of mitigation measures as necessary.
Duralie Coal approval was granted for a scaled-back version of the originally approved mine on the 5/2/99 by the Minister for Planning Craig Knowles.
Conditions of Consent - Water Management
“There shall be no direct discharge of dirty mine water (as defined in note 3) from the mine to Mammy Johnson River “
Duralie Coal Mine started Construction in 2002 and full production mining in 2003
Duralie Coal applied for an extension and modification in 2006 and was granted approval on the 30/7/06 with almost 100 conditions attached including
“Except as may be expressly provided by a DEC EPL or in accordance with Section 120 of the Protection of the Environment Act 1997, the applicant shall not discharge any mine water from the site”
Section 120 of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 states:
It is illegal to pollute or cause or permit pollution of waters
A person who pollutes any water is guilty of an offence
In a Media Release from Minister for Planning Frank Sartor on 31/7/06 he stated “I have insisted on a number of environmental measures to minimize its impact and Protect Mammy Johnsons River. The proponent will be required to continue the use of a strictly controlled irrigation scheme to dispose of mine water, preventing any discharge to local waterways”
In August 2008 Duralie Coal applied to the Department of Environment & Climate Change (DECC) to vary their Environmental Protection Licence to allow the direct river discharge of 500 million litres of dirty mine water into Mammy Johnsons River over a 2-year period
Commission of Inquiry- Proposed Duralie Open-cut Coal Mine and Related Water Licence- Commissioners Report May 1997..
Executive Summary (page ix)
"Mammy Johnsons River, an unspoiled natural stream, passes close to the site. This river downstream, joins the Karuah River and is extensively used for town water supply, agriculture, recreation and commercial purposes. The rivers have rare high value biological features."
Quality of Mammy Johnsons River (page 84)-
"The applicant refutes that there will be and adverse impact on Mammy Johnsons River and reports on biological studies and monitoring already carried out and proposed during the mine operation. The applicant contends that many environmental protection measures both physical and management have been incorporated into the mine design to prevent any adverse impact on Mammy Johnsons River. Irrigation of mine dirty water will avoid the need for a direct discharge of mine water and provide protection for Mammy Johnsons River from salinity and sulphates contained in the mine water."
We have 12 years of guarantees & promises regarding the Protection of Mammy Johnsons River and No River Discharge and we expect these guarantees and promises to be honoured.
To lose the “no direct discharge ” condition we fought so hard to get will put the health & safety of the downstream users, our river system and connected waterways at risk. "
This really says it all does it not ?