MEDIA RELEASE – 12 June 2014

The Greens NSW mining spokesperson Jeremy Buckingham today called on the Planning Minister, Pru Goward, to reject the Wallarah 2 coal mine on the Central Coast after the Planning and Assessment commission released their Assessment Report.

“This is a damning report which outlines significant risks to the Central Coast water supply and predicts subsidence which will undermine at least 245 residences as well as other important infrastructure,” Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham said.

“Korean mining giant Kores and the Department of Planning should be ashamed to read that their claims of the benefits of the project have been labelled “not credible” by the Commission.

“This mine, which was always unwanted by the local community, should be rejected by Planning Minister Pru Goward and abandoned by the proponents.

“The Liberal Party promised to stop the Wallarah 2 coal mine – ‘no ifs, no buts, a guarantee’ – it is time for Pru Goward to keep this promise and stand up for the community instead of their mining mates.

“Lobbying around the Wallarah 2 coal mine has featured in recent ICAC hearings and, given this damning PAC report, the government must reject the mine or risk the public perception that favours have been granted.

“Coal mining is in structural decline as the world begins to transition to clean renewable energy.

“NSW does not need any new coal mines, particularly where they threaten the health of the drinking water catchment,” he said.

Contact: Max Phillips – 0419 444 916