News & Campaigns
December 2009
Submissions to Proposed Bulli Seam Project
The Bulli Seam Project involves the augmenting, upgrading and using the existing infrastructure at the Appin and West Cliff coal mines; extracting up to 10.5 million tonnes of run-of-mine coal a year from the Bulli coal seam for a period of 30 years using longwall mining methods; processing run-of-mine coal at both the West Cliff and Dendrobium washeries; transporting product and run-of-mine coal from the site by road; disposing of coal rejects on site; and rehabilitating the site. (source: NSW Department of Planning)However this project will have major environmental impact as stated by the following submissions:
July 2009
Platypus found dead in Appin canal
The Macarthur Chronical reports that a Platypus was found dead in the Appin canal. The National Parks Association Macarthur branch has spend much time searching for platypus in the area?s waterways and has called on the authority to prevent further deaths of the rare creatures. The complete report can be found here.
March 2009
Opposition to St Helens Park Development Application for Residential Subdivision
Mir Group has submitted an application to Campbelltown Council for a 300-lot residential development at St Helens Park, off Kellerman Drive (Development Application 2675/2008/DAS).
The NPA Macarthur and various community groups, including residents and wildlife experts, opposed this new application. More ...
Illegal Yabby Traps Kill Platypuses
Yabby traps are illegal in rivers, creeks and lakes east of the Newell Highway in NSW. These traps are still being sold in fishing and sporting shops as they are legal in private dams and the ocean. They are known to have killed playtpus, 5 were drowned in just one trap in the Wyong River. More ...
Cataract Scout Camp Water Quality
The official start to the Georges River is near the Cataract Scout Camp, even here water testing showed that nitrogen is over recommended guidelines 33% of times tested (AACWG River Health Study: Wollongong University River Health Review, January, 2007). This may be because of inadequate on site sewerage systems which could be up graded.
Once the river leaves the Scout Camp it enters bush land before reaching Appin Mine, I from this mine llawarra Coal are taking water to Appin West (Tower Colliery) to be treated in the de salination plant and re used within the mine systems. The salts extracted from the water is discharged into Allens Creek, a salt water creek, in the Illawarra.
West Cliff Colliery - Water Usage
Nearly all water used in the mine and washery comes from Brennans Creek which was dammed some years ago. Water is recycled and returned into the dam, unfortunately by the time the water is released into the Georges River it has many problems, and is over the ANZECC guidelines much of the time. pH, nitrogen, aluminium, copper, nickel, lead, arsenic (small amounts), zinc and ammonium (AACWG River Health Study: Wollongong University River Health Review, January, 2007.)
In the past Brennans Creek was the main source of water into the Georges River at Appin, and it does appear that unless Illawarra Coal release between 2 or 3 mega litres of water per day through the dam the river may cease to run, because Brennans Creek is being systematically destroyed by BHP-Billiton.
West Cliff Colliery - Emplacement Area
The Emplacement Area at West Cliff Colliery is situated within the gorge of Brennans Creek and will eventually destroy the gorge and creek; the area will be up to 4km by 1.5km. Illawarra Coal are creating a trench around the area to collect water running off from nearby bush land. More ...
Wedderburn Causeway
Once a popular picnic area for local residents, now an eyesore. More ...