‘The True Cost of Mining Tour’ Post 5 View all posts here.

Recently I visited Newnes Plateau and the Gardens of Stone west of the Blue Mountains to inspect damage caused by longwall coal mining. Subsidence from longwall mining causes cracking – both below and at the earth’s surface. Rivers and creeks literally drain away and groundwater dependent ecosystems are destroyed. The cost to our natural heritage is huge. When you see the impacts your have to ask yourself is our addiction to coal worth it?

Greens MP and transport spokesperson Cate Faehrmann says speed limits should be determined by road safety experts, not politicians.

“The Coalition says drivers are checking their speedometers too often, but road safety experts say otherwise,” said Ms Faehrmann.

“The evidence shows speed kills. With advice from leading experts suggesting that a 5 per cent increase in average speeds ends in a 20 per cent increase in deaths, the Coalition’s announcement is clearly not about safety.

“The Greens support an audit and review of speed limits in the knowledge that an assessment by independent experts would likely show that in some areas, speed limits are too high.

“The Greens would like to see a new Integrated Transport Agency consider the introduction of lower speed limits and ‘shared spaces’ in urban centres to encourage more cycle and walking trips. This would improve safety and health while reducing congestion,” said Ms Faehrmann 

Media contact: Peter Stahel 0433 005 727

Greens MP and transport spokesperson Cate Faehrmann today launched the Greens election plan for boosting active transport in Sydney – ‘Changing how we move’ – together with Michael Cramer MEP, a visiting transport expert from Berlin and Member of the European Parliament’s Transport Committee.

“The Greens will design our roads for people, not just cars,” said Ms Faehrmann.

“Sydney roads are currently designed to try and maintain the speed of cars and trucks, but if you drive in Sydney you know that, for the most part, the system is failing miserably.

“Congestion is set to cost Sydney around $8 billion a year by 2020. The time to act is now.

“Bike sales have outstripped car sales nationally for a decade. This renaissance in cycling offers an opportunity for Sydney to invest and develop a transportation network that will reduce carbon emissions, reduce trip times, improve health and kick-start the economy by reducing congestion.

“But despite some small recent improvements, walking and cycling to work is still way too difficult in Sydney.

“The Greens have considered international best practice and key recommendations from stakeholder groups in order to boost cycling and walking trips,” said Ms Faehrmann.

Greens candidate for Balmain Mayor Jamie Parker said:

“We urgently need to rethink how our transport system should work.

“Sydneysiders experience the frustration of traffic jams and the health impacts of air pollution every day. Commuters understand that building more roads and toll ways is only a band-aid solution,” Mr Parker said.

The Greens active transport plan includes measures such as:

• Creating shared spaces with a speed limit of 10km/h
• 40km/h speed limits in other key central areas
• Minimum 5% of RTA funding for cycle infrastructure
• Improving pedestrian priority in central business districts
• End of trip facilities such as bike parking and change rooms.

Download the full package here.

Leaks cannot be fixed, wells cannot be safely capped – Greens

Greens MP and mining spokesperson Cate Faehrmann says the confirmed coal seam gas leaks from two drilling wells near Casino demonstrates the urgent need for a moratorium.

“Recently released Coalition and Labor policies will fail to protect water supplies, farmlands and communities from the gas rush that is happening in NSW right now,” said Ms Faehrmann.

“What is needed is an immediate halt to all projects, not vague commitments for review over the coming years.

“The gas companies are spreading misinformation about the safety of their wells, and the government appears to be taking its advice direct from the industry.

“Coal seam gas wells cannot be turned off. Once a well is drilled and ‘fracced’, the gas will continue to flow to the surface through cracks in the earth and water until the source is exhausted.

“There is more and more information coming from contaminated sites in the US, Queensland and now NSW, to suggest that all gas wells leak to some degree,” said Ms Faehrmann.

Media contact: Peter Stahel 0433 005 727

Greens MP and mining spokesperson Cate Faehrmann has renewed calls for an immediate moratorium on the coal seam gas industry in NSW after shocking revelations aired on ABC’s Four Corners tonight.

Ms Faehrmann’s successful ‘call for papers’ in the NSW Upper House last year exposed inadequate government regulations, the extent of fraccing being used by the industry in NSW and the influence of the industry over government decision making.

“The situation in Queensland is horrendous, but the coal seam gas industry is essentially calling the shots here in NSW as well. What was made clear from my call for papers last year is the grossly inadequate safeguards combined with a very low level of expertise within government,” said Ms Faehrmann.

“Lies and misinformation have become common practice to allow gas companies access to farmlands and residential areas.

“Labor and the Coalition have attempted to allay overwhelming community concern and anger about the lack of environmental oversight by releasing new policies. However they fail to protect aquifers and farmland, and both have ruled out a full moratorium.

“Once an aquifer is contaminated, or a community is exposed to harmful chemicals, no future strategy or regulation can fix it.

“I am angry that governments have failed to protect families who are suffering at the hands of gas company giants. These companies clearly have little regard for their health, the environment or future generations.

“NSW needs an immediate moratorium pending a full independent inquiry – this is the only way to protect farmlands and the community’s health from this dangerous and highly unregulated industry,” said Ms Faehrmann.

Media contact: Peter Stahel 0433 005 727

There is a mass rally planned in Sydney to protest the insidious coal seam gas industry and the unsustainable expansion of the coal mining industry in NSW. The theme is ‘City and Country Unite’ against this mad resource rush which is ripping the hearts out of communities and threatening our food security and water supplies.

Please come and support farmers and regional communities as well as St Peters residents and the environment.

When: Midday, 20 March 2011
Where: Parliament House, Macquarie Street and a march through city’s streets
What: A mass rally against the coal and gas rush in NSW

More details to come.