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FOR the
past 15 years the Australian Coal Alliance (ACA) has
continued to wage the war to protect the drinking water
catchment and the health of the Central Coast community
from the destructiveness of the proposed Wallarah 2
longwall coal mine.
Since majority ownership of Wyong Areas Coal Joint
Venture, the group that holds the exploration lease,
came under the control of South Korean Government-owned
mining giant Kores, approximately five years ago, the
fight was escalated.
In a 'five-minutes-to-midnight' panic the Minister for
Planning Tony Kelly rejected the the Wallarah 2 coal
mine, citing uncertainty about the mine's potential
risks. However, there is no doubt in the mind of the
community that the uncertainty of most concern to the
Minister is the election result for Wyong.
This is a great result for the community! During the 15
year campaign the Australian Coal Alliance has fought
the mine proposal it has captured the heart of the
community, the support of politicians, local government
and the business fraternity and secured absolute support
from the Liberal Party.
Local Member for Lake Macquarie Mr Greg Piper said
"Credit for the Minister's
decision should largely go to The
Australian Coal Alliance's whose performance simply
outclassed the Government and the mine's proponent."
"The ACA mounted a rigorous and technically-based
campaign based on the inevitable consequences of
longwall mining under a water catchment," Mr Piper
added. "The Minister says he was uncertain, but the
facts were clear," said Mr Piper.
"I congratulate Alan Hayes and other members of the ACA
for keeping this issue on the boil and forcing this
decision."
There is no doubt that the ACA's rigorous campaign and
the the commitment from the Liberal Party to stop the
coal if elected to government forced the Government's
hand. There is no doubt that if it wasn’t for those
individual in the red T-shirts and caps, brandishing the
familiar “water not coal” slogan, Wyong Shire would now
have an operating coal mine beneath their water
catchment area.
The
Australian Coal Alliance is a community based
organisation who fought on behalf of the Central Coast
community to protect its largest drinking water resource
- the Dooralong and Yarramalong Valleys - and the
health, amenity, lifestyle and property values of all
residents. The Australian Coal Alliance has
protected the future. |
