In October 2019, the NSW government announced a Parliamentary Inquiry into toxic coal ash waste.

Government Inquiries are an essential first step in understanding the health and environmental impacts of this enormous toxic waste issue and the solutions required to fix it.

Across the country, we’ve seen coal ash pipes spill thousands of litres of toxic slurry into rivers, coal ash dust blow over and choke communities, and waterways like Lake Macquarie polluted with heavy metals.

The toxins in coal ash have been linked to asthma, heart disease, cancer, respiratory diseases and stroke. Communities that live near coal-fired power stations are most at risk.

When it comes to toxic coal ash – communities are in the dark. We have to make sure this Inquiry gives communities that live near ash dumps, the answers they deserve.

Will you make a submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into coal ash and call for a thorough investigation and clean up?

Here’s how you can have you say:

1. Write a submission

For government inquiries to succeed, they need to hear from the people they represent – you. Understanding the full extent of coal ash dams means hearing from concerned citizens over the challenges at hand.

In order for your submission to be considered, it must be high quality and address specific criteria. We’ve put together a guide on how to write an effective government submission, to help you get started!

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In short, here’s what to include in your submission:

• Start by introducing yourself, why you care about the inquiry into coal ash and why you’ve taken the time to make a submission.
• Identify the key issues that you want to raise and why they concern you.
• Add your own perspective and experiences. For example, you may like to explain your experience advocating in the space of coal ash, or your personal or community experience in dealing with the impacts of coal pollution.
• Use evidence and data to support your statements. You can find a list of resources, scientific studies and analysis by EJA’s coal pollution team at the end of our submission guide.
• Be polite, respectful and clear. A lot is at stake, but the review team will dismiss submissions that are rude or target individual public servants or Members of Parliament.

If you have any questions about writing your submission, please get in touch with Max at [email protected].

2. Submit your submission

Once completed, upload and send your submission to the Public Works Committee for the Inquiry.

3. Let us know when you’re done!

When you’ve finished and submitted your submission, let us know and send us a copy, so we can see how many people are speaking out in the NSW Coal Ash Inquiry and keep you updated in the review process. We’d also love to read your submission because we’re nerdy like that.