Is Delta doing a dirty deed? and February Update

DELTA UPDATE February 2023

Environmental Justice Australia (EJA) recently provided an update on Delta Coal’s plan to mine another 9.5 million tonnes of coal under Lake Macquarie.

The plan will have to undergo thorough scrutiny by the NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) thanks to the 134 objections received from the community.

An independent expert for EJA found Delta hasn’t given important detail about some serious, likely impacts on water, land stability, climate change and the ecology of Lake Macquarie. EJA’s analysis also reveals concerning gaps for how the proposal will impact air quality.

This is a vital milestone, because any major project like this must have all its impacts thoroughly assessed and ensure the community has a voice in the process.  

Is Delta doing a dirty deed?

Posted 8/12/22

Recently, CPPA President Suzanne Pritchard attended an online meeting about the Chain Valley Colliery Consolidation Project (CVCC) which went on exhibition on 18/11/22. The meeting was hosted by Healthy Futures, a not-for-profit of healthcare workers and friends that campaign for a world where communities can thrive with clean air, clean energy and a safe and healthy climate. Environmental Justice Australia’s (EJA) expert was also on hand to discuss the environmental and health risks of Delta’s proposal.

The CVCC Project outlines Delta’s plans to mine another 9.5 million tonnes of coal from beneath Lake Macquarie over the next two years but it doesn’t address all the impacts. No health impact assessment has been undertaken and they haven’t consulted with NSW Health. As it stands, local communities have just one more week to have a say on Delta’s proposal, with submissions closing on 16 December.

If 50 of us lodge a written objection it triggers a requirement for further scrutiny by the Independent Planning Commission. This means communities can then fully engage with the process and demand that our health and our environment are put before Delta’s profits.

It has been proven that mines like Delta’s Chain Valley Colliery and Mannering Colliery have impacts on air quality by releasing dangerous particle pollution, fuel greenhouse gases that turbocharge climate change and risk degrading water quality in our catchments by releasing heavy metals. As Delta’s plans involve mining underneath Lake Macquarie, this may also cause up to 780mm of sinking underneath areas of the Lake.

Air quality is already a very real concern in the community around Lake Macquarie as the coal from Chain Valley and Mannering mines is burned at Vales Point Power Station. This generates secondary air pollution that causes health impacts for our local community – kids with asthma, babies born with low birthweight and elderly people suffering chronic lung conditions. Cumulatively, the impacts from Delta’s mines pose a serious threat to both human health and the health of our environment.

Plans that pose serious threats to human health and environmental health must have a rigorous assessment. This is our chance to make sure Delta’s proposal is thoroughly assessed and that local community members, organisations and health professionals are properly consulted. 

What can we do?

Fifty objections are needed to escalate Delta’s submission for additional scrutiny. Write an objection. 

Also here is the easy way to make a submission via the EJA website:

https://envirojustice.org.au/blog/onlineaction/have-your-say-chain-valley/ 

On Monday 12th December you can attend a submission writing webinar to assist in compiling a submission. Register here. 

If you’re a healthcare worker the Healthy Futures crew have an open letter for signing.

If you’ve ever wondered about the health impacts of burning coal there’s a detailed report , Lethal Power from Greenpeace written in 2020 - 

Why not give the gift of clean air for our community this Christmas, it will be a gift that keeps on giving.

Submission’s close on Friday 16th December