MEMBER for Dobell, Emma McBride, has implored Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg to reject the approved Wallarah 2 coal mine during a speech in federal parliament.
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“Today I call on the Minister for the Environment to take a stand to protect my community’s drinking water,” Ms Dobell said.
“I call on him to choose science over politics and to choose Central Coast people over foreign mining interests. I call on him to reject the Wallarah 2 coal mine.”
Wallarah 2 has been approved by the independent NSW Planning Assessment Commission which found that the risks posed by the mine to the region’s drinking water supply could be managed and mitigated.
The PAC said: “Any potential loss to the water availability from the aquifer of the Central Coast water supply would be compensated by the applicant providing 300 megalitres a year of treated water to the catchment.”
The mine has since been referred to the federal government for a final assessment under the Environment, Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
Final approval will depend on Mr Frydenberg’s decision about the mine’s impact on threatened species and water resources.
“What can the justification for this mine be?” Ms McBride said.
“This is not just an issue for the Central Coast or for NSW; it is an issue of national significance.”
She said Mr Frydenberg could stop the mine. “And he must stop it.”
“Our community will not have that supply jeopardised by a mine,” she said.
Last month, Kenny Barry, the project manager for the applicant Wyong Coal, said the company had made a compelling case in gaining approval for the $800-million mine.
“This approval justifies the significant amount of scientific investigation, impact modelling, and community consultation undertaken by our team over many years which, combined, provided the platform of a meticulously prepared and detailed environmental impact statement and subsequent amendment to the development application,” Mr Barry said.
“The risks to the environment are low whilst the benefits to the community are high.”
The coal mine would generate more than 1000 jobs during construction, while 300 mine workers would be employed once coal extraction begins, he said.
“There will be approximately $69 million in annual direct and indirect income for the region, and $593 million direct and indirect business turnover for the region.”
The state government would reap royalties estimated at $30 million annually in a full production year, he said.
