Future Sooner has stepped up its call for a moratorium on new housing developments around ash dams, chimney stacks and contaminated land at Vales Point, Lake Munmorah/Colongra and Eraring coal-fired power stations, with 1 150 new homes being built at Lake Munmorah where the EPA has identified land as “significantly contaminated”.
These new houses are within 5kms of Vales Point and Eraring coal-fired power stations and their ash dams.
“Firstly, homes should not be built here,” Future Sooner spokesperson Gary Blaschke said.
“At the very least, they need to carry the strongest possible health warnings.
“I suggest living here could cause debilitating asthma and other respiratory disease, learning difficulties and even cancer.
“The government is aware of the health risks associated with burning coal.
“Its 2021 Inquiry into the ash dams recommended providing ‘publicly accessible information in relation to community health and environmental impacts of coal ash dams and surrounding power stations’.
“It is flagrant negligence for the NSW Government to allow any new housing developments in the wind shadow of operating coal fired power stations and their ash dams.”
Blaschke said Future Sooner has spent years examining peer reviewed scientific literature.
“The government’s own data revealed there was a clear connection between coal-related air, land and water pollution and above-average occurrences of respiratory diseases including asthma, cancers and even learning difficulties,” he said.
“Our 2024 Citizens Inquiry heard evidence from residents living near the power stations and their ash dams that reinforced our findings and the UN Special Rapporteur’s Toxicity and Human Rights Report confirmed that there were grave risks for people living near coal-fired power stations.
“But the NSW Government ignores all this.
“Instead, its Central Coast Strategic Conservation Plan: Northern Precinct Planning Area includes massive new housing development areas.
“And Vales Point and Munmorah/Colongra are smack bang in the middle of it.
“The health of young families is at stake.
“Future Sooner calls for a moratorium on all new housing within a 5km radius of existing coal-fired power stations, ash dams and land contaminated with PFAS/PFOS until these sites are decommissioned, remediated and declared safe.”
buyers beware
I was exposed for 6months + on a gov worksite that used coal ash as media to fill raised garden beds with high public exposure. Leechate going straight into Sydney harbour. no mention of the health risks. so no one would wear ppe. sad really