I borrow this term from a media release of 28 August 2008 by Tony Windsor independent MP NSW regarding "buck passing between Federal and State Governments". (Link to this release). This release concentrates on the impact of mining on the groundwater systems of the Liverpool Plains but nicely sums up part, if not the actual problem of mining versus environment issues in NSW including the Duralie issue (see "Marine Park Threat").
extract starts....
“It is the height of hypocrisy that the Federal Minister for the Environment won’t simply admit that the science about the impact of longwall mining on underground aquifers like those passing through the Liverpool Plains is inadequate and in need of much research.
To purely say that “the responsibility for assessing those coal mine proposals lies with State Governments … and it is the responsibility of the relevant regulatory authorities to ensure that there aren’t any impacts on the environment including the things like groundwater that are unacceptable” is a cop out by the Minister.
We now have the ridiculous situation where the Government wants to take responsibility for water away from the States but the Minister for the Environment is quite happy to allow New South Wales to dictate the terms in an area where massive water resources could be destroyed,” Mr Windsor said.
Mr Windsor is concerned that the NSW State Planning approval process is too easily conflicted when the State Government’s short term need for revenue is pitted against the long term needs of the environment.
“The Minister for the Environment would have to recognise the conflict of interest that exists in the State Government when the same organisation is in charge of regulation and revenue.
When the NSW Government Treasury can see a huge exploration licence cheque and royalty cheques sitting under the Liverpool Plains, it doesn’t care about the cost to others or the environment.
It’s like putting Dracula in charge of the Blood Bank,” Mr Windsor said.
....ends
The minister of course being Peter Garrett whom many of us held hope would be our environmental warrior in federal politics ... alas it seems not so - not yet anyway. I was personally there when Peter Garrett and the "oils" parked a large flatbed truck outside the Exxon building in New York and blasted a very loud piece of selected music through their windows. Peter did not seem to be concerned about becoming involved in someone else's area of responsibility then - what happened Peter ?
I later attended a wonderful concert at the radio City Music Hall that was indeed very pro environment - true Oils stuff.
Come on Peter, get your act together again - for the environments sake !
On the Duralie mine issue, I know for a fact, after personally contacting them, that all agencies and Departments I can think of are aware of the issue with the Duralie mine waste including Marine Parks, Oyster Farmers association (through the farmers association), DECC and local councils. I just wanted to see if the old ploy of "we didn't know about it" is used if the dumping is allowed - I would expect the "its out of our hands" to be well deployed though. Even Port Stephens fishing gear outlets are aware of it.
I suspect that if it all gets too difficult for the "spin makers" there will be an unfortunate "accident" at the mine, the water will be released but following the feigned outcry, controls will then be "introduced" to stop it happening again - lets wait and see.
Lee Rhiannon MLC NSW has raised the issue in Parliament (link to media release of 14 August) so at least someone in Parliament is on the Duralie case. Maybe Bob brown could fly his colours again for this issue.
Someone surely has to take control !
Col Maybury of Kurri Kurri (see "Mines and Rivers" in the above site menu) has this parting comment on the legacy of mine acid affects from past mining - "Kurri Kurri is a marvellous laboratory for the sins of mining past. Mine acid will flow here for nearly one hundred years, intensified by the microbial action of Thiobacillus Ferrooxidans and others."
So if you think time will cure all, maybe you should think again !