Jan 20 2017
Maules Creek CWA Submission to NSW EPA re Air Quality
From our own observations, both locally and in the Hunter Valley we have visibly seen the increase in particulate pollution. The Maules Creek CWA’s submission here.
coal
May 21 2013
Support as Traditional Owners join fight to stop destruction of the NSW North West from mining and extraction of coal seam gas
21 May 2013
Media Release
Support as Traditional Owners join fight to stop destruction of the NSW North West from mining and extraction of coal seam gas
A broad range of farmers and community members concerned about the impacts of new mining and coal seam gas proposals across NSW North West are expressing their support for the Gomeroi Native Title claimants in their recent stance to halt all mining in the region.
The Gomeroi Native Title claimants are the latest group to publicly oppose coal seam gas in the North West, joining a range of farmers, town residents, conservationists and Church Ministers in the battle.
“I have the greatest respect for the stand made by the Gomeroi people, working to make sure this magnificent land remains healthy and capable of supporting humans, and also fauna and flora,” said Tambar Springs farmer David Quince.
“The Gomeroi Native Claimants provide a timely reminder to us all to hold reverence to the environment which we and future generations must safeguard,” he said.
“I am delighted to support the stand of the Gomeroi people,” said Anne Kennedy of Coonamble and representative of the North West Alliance.
“In our area, Wun-Gali representatives have resolved to declare a moratorium on all coal seam gas activities on their traditional lands and in the Coonamble Shire until such time as it is proven that CSG activities will not have a detrimental effect on the Great Artesian Basin.”
“We need to ensure our water resources are protected and stop the North West from becoming an industrial gasland. We are all deeply concerned and will continue to work together to protect this region, its cultural heritage and our water supply,” she said.
“Gomeroi people join and strengthen the chorus of voices that want to see a pause on mining and coal seam gas activities in the North West,” said Naomi Hogan of the Wilderness Society.
“There are so many good reasons why mining development needs to slow down, to ensure the community is having a say over the future of the land, and to ensure public health and clean water is being put first.”
“The coal seam gas drilling catastrophe in the Pilliga forest, along with the growing open cut coal destruction in the Leard Forest has fuelled growing concerns for the future of the region if mining continues unabated.”
The Gomeroi calls to halt mining come as hundreds formally object to a proposed Santos coal seam gas workers camp for Gunnedah and over half a million hectares of the Liverpool Plains have been declared gas field free by community vote.
Apr 9 2018
That sickening feeling when your water is at threat
Water levels are a very serious concern at Maules Creek as Elfin Crossing has stopped running.
Over the last 5 or 6 months bore levels have been dropping with corresponding falls in flow rates.
Local farmers have been cleaning out their water bores and searching for new sources of groundwater supplies for stock and domestic. Some have had success but water levels are still on the decline.
Most of us don’t think this is normal and it’s worthwhile putting the current situation in context with the last time water stopped running over Elfin Crossing.
A decade earlier in 2007, there really were exceptional circumstances.
In fact, 2007 rainfall records shown below from the BOM’s Mt Kaputar weather station recorded only 367 mm, around 1/3 of Mt Kaputar’s yearly average rainfall of 927 mm. The 367mm came on the back of a dry 2006 with only 600.2 mm recorded in that year.
Rainfall measurements at Mt Kaputar are important because they indicate rainfall events on the Nandewar Range more generally which feed the surface and groundwater systems at Maules Creek.
In contrast to 2006 and 2007, the 2016 and 2017 year on year totals were quite good, with the Mt Kaputar weather station recording 1062 mm and 923 mm respectively. Both years were at or above average totals and over that period there were 5 individual months with significant rainfall above 150 mm which could trigger streamflow in the creek system and aquifer recharge.
Monitoring data in the chart below from the Elfin groundwater gauge shows the impact on groundwater levels of the 2016 rainfall events and the maintenance of good groundwater levels throughout the average rainfall year of 2017.
Compare this to the 2007 year Elfin Crossing groundwater readings where water levels were 1/2 a meter lower than current levels in 2018. Water levels did recover after the Zone 11 (i.e. Maules Creek) Water Sharing Plan commenced in late 2006. The Plan drastically cut irrigator’s water entitlements by 73% and this was followed up with Cease to Pump triggers in Dec 2007 which required irrigators to cease pumping when less than 1 ML/day of water was flowing across Elfin Crossing1.
Groundwater levels actually recovered shortly after the Water Sharing Plan was implemented – despite an abysmal rainfall total for the year of 367 mm. Levels recovered again in Dec 2007 when Cease to Pump restrictions came into force.
Given the data above we think its safe to conclude that;
So where to from here?
Footnote
By MCCC • Uncategorized • • Tags: Cease to Pump, coal, Maules Creek, Nationals, Water Theft, Whitehaven Coal