Central Coast Council has called for a report on the effects that the Wallarah 2 coal mine could have on the region’s water supply, following the defeat on November 21 of the Drinking Water Catchments Protection Bill 2019 in the Legislative Council.
Councillor Troy Marquart moved at its meeting on December 9 that Council note the defeat of the bill and ask the CEO to provide an update on the possible implications and the overall current situation of Wallarah 2.
Councillor Louise Greenaway moved an amendment calling for even more detail in the report on the impact of the water allocation on ground water, surface water and accumulative seepage.
Although Cr Marquart wouldn’t accept the amendment, calling it “silly stuff”, it became the motion, which was eventually successful. Cr Marquart told fellow councillors that the mine would go ahead, but Deputy Mayor Jane Smith was still hopeful that the plug might be pulled on the project, citing a turning economy and “stranded assets” as possible game changers.
She was successful in having a reaffirmation of Council’s opposition to the Wallarah 2 coal mine for the risks that it poses, added to the motion.
Source: Agenda item 8.6 Central Coast Council meeting, Dec 9 Central Coast Council Watch Reporters: Terry Collins and Merilyn Vale