A letter from NSW Health Minister Ryan Park has fuelled a campaign by the Future Sooner group to eliminate health risks posed by coal-fired power stations at Eraring and Vales Point.
Spokesperson Gary Blaschke said in the letter, received recently by a member of the group, the Minister says: “NSW Health acknowledges that air pollution, including from coal-fired power stations, is associated with an increase in hospital admissions and deaths from cardiovascular and respiratory disease”.
Blaschke said people living on the Central Coast and Lake Macquarie have been “bombarded” with pollution from Eraring and Vales Point coal-fired power stations and their ash dams for decades.
“What comes out of coal-fired power stations is toxic,” he said.
“Future Sooner knows it, we have the facts.
“The Cancer Council knows it.
“Doctors, clinicians and health experts know it.
“ABS statistics, the government’s Coal Ash Inquiry and now the letter from the Health Minister proves it.
“The closer you live to a coal-fired power station and its ash dam, the more likely you are to have a chronic respiratory condition, asthma, even cancers and learning disabilities.
“I was told anecdotally that in one week eight children presented at Wyong Hospital with various cancers.
“Wyong Hospital is now getting a new cancer wing (because) there are so many cancer cases that local hospitals can’t cope.
“Budgewoi alone has head and neck cancer at 102 per cent above the national average.
“Health Minister Park has admitted coal-fired power stations like Eraring and Vales Point contribute to the suffering and even deaths of our residents and their children.”
Future Sooner is opposing the extension the life of the Eraring plant and the possible exemption licence of Vales Point.
The group was recently praised in the NSW Legislative Council (upper house) for its ongoing commitment to raising awareness of the health impacts facing residents from pollution coming out of coal-fired power stations and the urgent need to transition to a clean energy future.
A Notice of Motion put forward by Greens MLC Abigail Boyd was fully endorsed by the chamber.
Blaschke said the support proves that there is bilateral recognition of the dangers posed by power stations and their ash dams and reinforces Park’s letter.
“What is perplexing is that after all this, and a UN interim report, the government is doing nothing to protect the health of the residents living on the Central Coast and at Lake Macquarie,” he said.
The group will hold a Citizens Inquiry in August and is seeking stories from residents regarding their health issues.
“Our government has just admitted that their power stations are linked to deaths,” Blaschke said.
“If there was ever a time to make a stand to protect your family’s health it’s now.
“Make a submission and tell your story.”
The Citizens Inquiry will be held from 1pm-5pm on Sunday, August 25, at Halekulani Bowling Club, Budgewoi.
Submissions should be emailed to futuresoonernsw@gmail.com