Antinuclear

Opposition to Wallarah Two coal mine across the political divide

Community rallies outside Wallarah public hearing ABC Mary-Louise Vince Wed 2 Apr 2014 A public hearing has been told the risk to the central coast water catchment far outweighs the benefit of an underground coal mine proposed for the area………

The Mayor of Wyong, Doug Eaton told the Commission the risk to the region’s water catchment far outweighs any employment benefits from the mine.The potential impact on the region’s water supplies remains the key concern about the project, which is backed largely by the Korean Government.

President of the Liberal Party’s Gosford branch and former Gosford Mayor Malcolm Brooks said he was against the mine. Mr Brooks said little had changed since the mine’s original development application, which was rejected by the Labor Government in 2011.”Nothing has changed except a new application, a new government and an ICAC inquiry,” he said.

Outside the meeting Labor’s Environment spokesman, Luke Foley says the Premier has betrayed central coast residents by failing to stop the mine project. Mr Foley told the crowd legislation is needed to stop the mine going ahead.

The Wallarah Two mine has become a political headache for the O’Farrell Government……….

ICAC inquiry still to be held

Meanwhile, an Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry is yet to to be held into Wallarah’s major players, including Liberal party fundraiser and lobbyist Nick di Girolamo, and the former Resources Minister and Central Coast MP, Chris Hartcher.

Labor and the Greens want the the project halted until that investigation is complete…….

An economist from the Australia Institute, Rod Campbell said the mine’s economic value had been overstated and its economic benefits were based on discredited modelling.

The Darkinjung Aboriginal Land Council declared the the entire mining proposal invalid.

Darkinjung’s CEO, Sean Gordon said he would never approve access to build a rail spur across Land Council land and legal action is underway on the issue………http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-02/mine-pac/5362728

April 3, 2014 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | General News