After stating that she would not be making comment on the NSW Planning Assessment Commission’s recommendation to approve the Wallarah 2 coal mine, the Federal Member for Robertson, Ms Lucy Wicks, has said that she has requested a meeting with the Federal Environment Minister to discuss the matter.
The long-term planning for the mine would include a plan to add 300 ML of treated mine water to the Central Coast’s drinking water catchment annually, but Ms Wicks initially said the approval of the mine was a matter for the NSW Government.
Meanwhile, the Federal Member for Dobell, Ms Emma McBride, referred the mine’s approval to the Federal Environment Minister, Mr Josh Frydenberg, for assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC).
Approval for the project will depend on Federal Environment Minister, Josh Frydenberg’s, decision about the mine’s impact on threatened species and water resources, Ms McBride said.
In a letter to Ms McBride, Mr Frydenberg said consideration would include advice from a 2013 Independent Expert Scientific Committee report, the Independent Expert Scientific Committee (IESC) on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development, “Advice to decision maker on Wallarah 2 Coal Project” – 18 April 2013.
The report stated, in part: “There are significant risks associated with the proposed project having a detrimental and long-lasting effect on an already stressed water supply catchment.”
“Minister Frydenberg has the chance to stop this mine,” Ms McBride said.
“If he doesn’t, he’s not only ignoring our community, he is ignoring the advice of experts that clearly say this mine is a threat to our water catchment,” she said.
“Our waterways are precious and this mine could have an impact for decades to come.
“Minister Frydenberg, do the right thing and reject this mine.”
Labor then called on Ms Wicks and the Turnbull Government to veto the decision by the Berejiklian State Government to approve the Wallarah 2 mine.
Ms Wicks had indicated that she shared the concerns of the community that the project had detrimental impacts on the Central Coast water supply but refused to commit to stopping the mine, instead saying, it was a “matter for the NSW Government”.
Federal Environment Minister, Josh Frydenberg, does have the power to alter the mine’s approval based on its impact on the Central Coast water catchment and potential risk to endangered species.
Labor’s candidate for Robertson, Ms Anne Charlton, joined the community in condemning the decision by the PAC to recommend approval of the mine, despite clear warnings from the IESC that the project’s environmental impacts were not in the best interest of the community.
“Ms Wicks needs to get on the phone to the Federal Minister for the Environment and tell him that the Turnbull Government should veto this project,” Ms Charlton said.
“Anything short of this demonstrates a serious lack of leadership and wilful negligence,” she said.
“Ms Wicks should stand up for our community and protect our local water supply.”
Labor Senator Deborah O’Neill joined the outcry by her Labor colleagues and urged Ms Wicks to stand with the Central Coast community.
“Ms Wicks has got to decide whether she wants the entire Coast water supply to be compromised or she doesn’t,” Senator O’Neill said.
“Her hollow words are not enough,” she said.
“The fact is that her federal colleagues can fix this problem”, said Senator O’Neill.
In a written statement on January 30, Ms Wicks said: “I have requested a meeting on this issue with the Minister for the Environment and Energy to pass on any views from my community and I encourage anyone with interest in the proposal to raise them with me as soon as possible.
“The Wallarah 2 proposal was assessed by the NSW Government on behalf of the Commonwealth in accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act,” Ms Wicks said.
“The proposal is now before the Commonwealth Government for a decision on whether or not it can be approved under the EPBC Act.
“The decision is expected by March 7,” she said.
Source:
Media release, Jan 23
Heather Robinson, office of Emma McBride
Media release, Jan 30
Rhys Zorro, office of Deborah O’Neill
Media statement, Jan 30
Tim Sowden, office of Lucy Wicks