Peabody’s Metropolitan Mine at Helensburgh. Photo: Peabody.
Wollongong councillors have been told to go the DIY route if they want to oppose a proposed mining expansion under Woronora Dam.
At council’s latest meeting, Deirdre Stuart put forward a motion asking the council to oppose the expansion, however, she was told its response had already been submitted.
The proposed modification to Peabody’s Metropolitan Coal Mine in Helensburgh would extend under the Woronora dam, which supplies drinking water for southern Sydney and northern Illawarra suburbs.
It would also automatically give the mine rights to the lease to the west, which it does not currently have.
Addressing the meeting, Cr Stuart said the extension would have disastrous consequences for the climate and had the potential to devastate the local environment, in addition to threatening the water supply.
“I move that the council objects and asks for the application to be referred to the Independent Planning Commission,” she said.
“This is a controversial project because of the proponent and the mine’s record of damage and destruction already on Woronora catchment.
“Our land, waters, air, climate, ecosystems are irreplaceable. Direct and indirect damages caused by this mine cannot be repaired.
“If this gets approved, then as the proponent points out in their own documents, the granting of the mining lease they don’t have to the west is automatically bestowed on them and can’t be refused.
“The idea of punching yet another massive hole deep into the ground to connect the coal seam with our atmosphere is sickening.”
Darryl Best addressed the council to support the motion.
He said he was concerned about the potential effects on the water supply and the swamp land above.
“I’ve worked in mines that pump out 50 litres of water per second every singly day,” Mr Best said.
“All mines cause subsidence to the surface they mine under. There’s cracks, creeks and swamps disappear and rock platforms fall down.
“Water will find cracks as water does. Once it does everything will flow down into mine, which means everything above it drains.
“There’s no way of knowing where those cracks are, and once damage is caused no way of fixing it.
“This isn’t an argument about climate change or renewables, it’s about whether or not people should mine under our water catchment area.”
Cr Stuart, however, was informed staff had already made a submission relating to the proposal.
Council general manager Greg Doyle said the council was not asked to support or oppose the project, but to provide general advice.
“The advice includes elements of concern by staff that we believe the assessment agency needs to look at in greater detail,” he said.
“It was not an assessment and in no way was the advice we provided detailed.
“We have no role in assessment or determination, our role is just to provide input.”
Councillor David Brown suggested amending the motion to encourage councillors to make individual submissions, noting the receipt of the original council position.
He said he was concerned about the prospect of replacing a submission staff had already made and with the council operating outside of its lane.
“We don’t involve ourselves in development applications,” he said.
“We can and do make submissions about planning instruments but not about determinations under those instruments, it’s an important distinction.
“We make submissions on basis of staff reports on the pros and cons of how it aligns with our values and strategies.
“I think it’s dangerous for us to take a position without the benefit of a report.”
Cr Stuart’s motion was defeated and Cr Brown’s motion carried in its place, with councillors Stuart, Jess Whittaker and Kit Docker voting against it.
