ABC reported that planning experts have defended a decision to allow controversial long wall coal mining under a dam which helps to supply Sydney's drinking water.
The New South Wales Opposition said that it has proof that authorities have major concerns about allowing the mining underneath Woronora Dam in the city's southern outskirts. It has obtained documents showing there is a real risk that the dam floor will crack under the strain of the mining operation. It was not long ago that Sydneysiders were being urged to conserve every drop of water.
Now they are being told that the body charged with supplying the city with water is worried that mining underneath a dam will lead to a potentially huge loss of the precious commodity.
Mr Michael Richardson Opposition MP used Freedom of Information laws to obtain the documents which reveal the extent of the concerns at a time when planning authorities and the government were considering a proposed extension of long wall coal mining south of Sydney.
He said that "I think there's ample evidence in the documents that we're provided that both the Department of Water and Energy and Sydney Catchment Authority have very serious reservations about what's being done. The original development application has been amended and that they have to some extent addressed the issues relating to the Waratah Rivulet and they've changed the direction, they've turned the long walls underneath Woronora Reservoir around by 90 degrees. But our information is that it makes no difference whatsoever to the cracking in the bed of the reservoir. It's almost window dressing."
Mr Mehmet Kizil a mining expert at the University of Queensland said that long wall mining is cheaper and more efficient than open cut mining but it does bring some risks.
He said that "The way you do long wall mining is you set up a long wall panel. It could be a couple of hundred meters wide, 200, 300 up to 400 meters wide by a couple of kilometers long. You set up your mining system which consists of some shields, steel shields and a shearer to cut the coal in the conveyor belt."
(Sourced from ABC.Net)
