Author Archives: Chris

Concerns raised over Sydney Catchment audit

The audit of Sydney’s drinking water catchments, to which Rivers SOS recently made a submission, is mired in controversy after it was revealed the private contractor carrying out the audit has been employed by BHP to consult on its plans … Continue reading

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Media release on Sugarloaf disaster

Rivers SOS has published a media release regarding the recent discovery of massive subsidence damage caused by longwall coal mining. Here’s an excerpt: Since 2006 Rivers SOS has been drawing attention to similar and even more serious damage in the … Continue reading

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Submission on Sydney Drinking Water Catchment Audit

Rivers SOS recently made a submission to GHD, a private company which has been tasked with carrying out the 2013 Catchment Audit. It includes the following recommendations: A ban on all new mines, mine expansions and coal seam gas developments … Continue reading

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Submission on Mining SEPP

Rivers SOS made a submission on the NSW Government’s proposed amendments to the State Environment Planning Policy, which would emphasise the economic importance of a resource over and above other factors when evaluating mining proposals. You can read the full submission … Continue reading

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Submission to the NSW Government’s planning system review

Rivers SOS has made a submission to the NSW Government’s review of the planning system. You can read the full submission here.

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Dendrobium mine approved

On Monday Feb. 11 the O’Farrell govt. approved the expansion of BHP’s Dendrobium coal mine in Sydney’s drinking water catchment Special Area. This was despite overwhelming evidence of significant environmental damage from past mining and predictions of more catastrophic damage, … Continue reading

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Submission on the BHP Dendrobium expansion

Rivers SOS has been concerned for some time with the impacts of longwall mining in the Special Areas of Sydney’s drinking water catchments. We have had delegations over the years to Planning Ministers Keneally and Kelly and also Shadow Planning … Continue reading

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BHP seeks to discharge dirtier mine wastewater into Georges River

Rivers SOS has made a submission on BHP’s application to vary their licence to discharge mine wastewater into the Upper Georges River. You can read it here. Thanks to Leonie Kelly, whose science background meant we were able to sensibly discuss the … Continue reading

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Increasing focus on health impacts of coal

There is increasing public attention being focused on the health impacts of coal mining. Rivers SOS has been arguing these cases for some time, but it is worth noting that so have many health organisations. For example, Doctors for the … Continue reading

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Coal dust causes concern in the playground

13 August, 2012 Sydney Morning Herald MORE than 23,000 students at about 60 Hunter schools within 500 metres of the region’s coal railway spend their lunchtimes breathing air filled with coal dust from passing trains. Many also spend their days … Continue reading

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