AS part of its assessment of the Wallarah 2 coal mining proposal, the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) considered potential impacts of the mine on surface water and the shallow alluvial aquifer in the area.
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The assessment found there would be a “small and temporary impact” on water flows caused by subsidence.
Wallarah 2 project manager Kenny Barry said the mine would cause a “slight dip between chain pillars” and these depressions on the surface would temporarily delay the flow of surface water – but the water would not be lost.
“For a short period of time you are taking away a very small proportion of the surface flow,” Mr Barry said.
“But it is a diverted flow. It still flows to the creeks. It’s not a loss – and that’s one of the misconceptions.”
In the worst case scenario of a drought, that delay could be measured in months, he said. But with rainfall the delay would be reduced.
“It still all flows to the lowest point, which is the creeks. Always has. Always will. Pure physics.”
- This is part of a series of articles in which Wallarah 2 project manager Kenny Barry gives his take on issues relating to the proposed coal mine.
