Time for action on air pollution from Hunter Valley coal mines

 

Coal mines create harmful levels of air pollution in the Hunter Valley.

In some parts of the Hunter it’s the dominant topic of conversation.

“The dust is killing us slowly. It’s driving good people out of town and it’s all people are talking about – the health of their kids,” says Muswellbrook Councillor Graeme McNeill.

Councillor McNeill has called for temporary mine shutdowns when coarse particle pollution (PM10) exceeds national standards, as it has scores of times already this year.

EJA says it’s time for ‘polluter pays’ laws and definitely no new or expanded coal mines.

Please use the easy online tool on this page to send an email to NSW Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton and CEO of the NSW Environment Protection Authority Anissa Levy urging them to set the EPA to work on this problem.

Dear Minister Upton and Ms Levy,

For years coal mining has been creating harmful levels of air pollution in the Hunter Valley.

A recent NSW Government review found Muswellbrook has some of the worst air pollution in the state.

Now a Muswellbrook Councillor and community advocates have called for better pollution controls and a prohibition on new coal mines and mine expansions.

Please tell me how you plan to control air pollution in New South Wales.
– Will you impose a ‘polluter pays’ fee on coal mines?
– Will you finalise and implement the air pollution control strategy for New South Wales?

Please write back to me to let me know what you will do.

Thank you,