August 26, 2010

THE WATER CENSUS

THE WATER CENSUS 
RSWUA encourages everyone to participate – a clear understanding of our water resource will help to protect it. More information, see Newsletter-24/8/10.

PUBLIC MEETING PRESENTATION
The presentation Centennial Coal gave at the public meeting can now be viewed on their website www.centennialcoal.com.au On the left side menu click Operations & Community, then go down to Projects and click on Inglenook Exploration Project. At the bottom of that page you will find the link: Community Update - August 2010

THE PUBLIC MEETING was attended by nearly 100 people. Most stayed for the sausage sizzle afterwards which proved a great opportunity to discuss it all amongst each other. Many thanks to Peter Seeto for donating the sausages, our chefs Jonathon, Peter and Josh, and Helen, Prudie and Pam who provided the rest. Our thanks also to the Hall Trustees who provided the much welcomed warming tea and coffee! And many thanks to those that stayed on to clean up afterwards.
There was about an hour of questions following Centennial’s presentation and they clearly demonstrated the community’s concern and passion regarding this precious water resource. It was only the increasing cold and tantalising smell of sausages that closed the meeting! We look forward to regular public meetings with Centennial as feedback from those present indicated that the community regards this format as the real “community consultation”.

Newsletter-24/8/10

Dear Landowner,

Following our meeting with Centennial Coal (6 Aug 2010), the Association has written to the company to get clarification on several questions which were “taken on notice” by Beau Preston, General Manager, Business Developments and Projects.

Questions which remain unanswered include compensation for landowners for loss of water due to exploratory drilling. We will keep you posted on developments.

In the meantime, Centennial has offered to conduct a “water census” of the Ilford/Running Stream area. The Association strongly recommends that people participate in this study for two key reasons:
1. the more pieces put into the jigsaw puzzle that is our water resource the better the picture will be. By understanding the aquifers and interconnections a safer exploration drilling map can be drawn;
2. the water testing will establish a benchmark against which any impacts from exploration drilling or mining can be measured.
It is critical that we get solid, forensic quality, benchmark information from this census – information that will stand up in court even years later to protect our shared water resource and provide baseline data for possible compensation. The Association is in communication with Centennial to request this happens.

Landholders, if they request it, will be given the results of testing done on their water. Centennial Coal has committed to keeping individual property information confidential and while that specific information will remain private, it is essential that the aggregate data is made public so the true extent of our water resource is fully understood and properly valued.

Access to your property for this water study is separate to access for exploration and for this reason there needs to be a separate access agreement for the water census. RSWUA has spoken to Centennial and they have assured us there will be a separate agreement which should cover indemnity issues. RSWUA understands this is a sensitive and private issue, but it is really important that all landholders participate so that we can protect our water.

RSWUA is also currently clarifying with the NSW Office of Water the correct current legal position with stock and domestic water – to which all landholders have automatic entitlement - and will send that information out in a later newsletter.

To participate in the water census contact John Sandona (Project Manager Inglenook Exploration Project) now at john.sandona@centennialcoal.com.au or Mobile 0418 700 751 or Tel 63590114
(Don’t worry if you have missed the 30 August date, they will still want to hear from you.)

Yours sincerely


The Committee,  RSWUA Inc

PS For more information about the water study please contact Jolieske – ph 02 63794318

August 23, 2010

LET'S VALUE OUR UNIQUE NATURAL ASSETS

Nile Creek flows through the Capertee Valley

Capertee Valley

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Capertee Valley in New South WalesAustralia (33°10′6″S 150°4′28″E / 33.16833°S 150.07444°ECoordinates33°10′6″S 150°4′28″E / 33.16833°S 150.07444°E) is longer and about 1 kilometre (0.6 mi) wider than theGrand Canyon of Arizona. Despite being larger than the Grand Canyon, and a two and a half hour drive from Australia's largest city, Sydney (135 km (84 mi) NW), the Capertee Valley is little known, in or outside of Australia, except by bird watchers who prize its diversity.[1] In the US published book Fifty Places to Go Birding Before You Die, author Chris Santella lists Capertee Valley as one of only two locations in Australia selected in his top 50 world bird watching locations.[2]
The Capertee Valley follows the Capertee River as it cuts through the Sydney Basin, a sedimentary basin consisting of Permian and Triassic sedimentaryrock west of the Blue Mountains.[3]

References

  1. ^ "Capertee Valley". Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce & Industry.http://www.golden-highway.com.au/capertee_valley.htm. Retrieved 26 December 2009.
  2. ^ Santella, Chris. Fifty Places to Go Birding Before You Die, Stewart, Tabori & Chang, New York 2007, ISBN 978-1-58479-629-9
  3. ^ "The Sydney Basin"Australian Museumhttp://australianmuseum.net.au/The-Sydney-Basin/. Retrieved 26 December 2009.

August 20, 2010

RENEGADE FRINGE

Signs are popping up all over the Ilford/Running Stream area with the Association's slogan "Keep Running Streams Running". These hand crafted declarations seem to have been strategically placed at creek crossings and water ways such as Jack Halls Creek, Wishing Well, Cunninghams Creek and Running Stream. Councillor Esme Martens has also placed a sign on her gate on Cherry Tree Hill as have other concerned locals.
The signs appear to be the work of a renegade fringe of the Association as no DA was lodged to erect them. But as the saying goes; "Better to ask for forgiveness, than for permission."

August 13, 2010

Moolarben fined for clearing

Moolarben Coal has been ordered to pay a fine of $70,000 along with $55,000 for NSW Government court costs after a Land and Environment Court decision announced by the Minister for Planning on Wednesday.

On Wednesday the NSW Minister for Planning, Tony Kelly, released a statement and said the NSW Government has welcomed the fine for breaching planning laws.

“The NSW Government takes compliance with its planning approvals very seriously,” he said.

Read more…

August 10, 2010

The Capertee Alliance wants to be heard

Along with the Running Stream Water Users’ Association (RSWUA) another group was heard at Friday’s meeting with Centennial Coal.

The Capertee Valley Alliance (CVA) expressed fears the Inglenook Exploration project would be dealt with in the same way as Centennial Coal’s Airly coal mine.

CVA chairman Donna Upton said Centennial did not initially consult people in Capertee Valley before the Airly development and the Inglenook project could also affect the area.

Read more…

70 attend mine forum to call for land protection

 VOICING CONCERNS: Running Stream property owner John Medcalf asks Centennial Coal about mining operations in the local area. Over 70 people attended the meeting initiated by the Running Stream Water Users’ Association. 070810/4959

More than 70 people called for water and land to be protected from mining in the Ilford, Running Stream and Capertee Valley areas at a meeting on Friday evening.

With Centennial Coal already exploring in the region, land owners and other interested people voiced their concerns at a meeting hosted by the Running Stream Water Users’ Association (RSWUA).

Read more…

August 9, 2010

Meeting voices water concerns

Water preservation was the crucial environmental issue at a meeting to discuss proposed coal mines in the Running Stream area on Friday.
Member for Bathurst Gerard Martin w among those present.

Mr Martin attended in response to representations from the Running Stream Water Users Association (RSWUA) and the local branch of the NSW Farmers Association.

He said water was by far and away the most critical issue raised by the associations.
“There are some other issues such as social infrastructure but further down the track this all hinges on water and what impact this proposed development has. It’s very early at this as we are only in the exploration stages but now is the time to flag those questions and have them addressed,” he said.

Mr Martin said the Inglenook project would be looked at by the new ministerial sub-committee.

Read more…

RUNNING STREAM CALLS COAL MEETING

http://www.mudgeeguardian.com.au/news/local/news/general/running-stream-calls-coal-meeting/1887298.aspx?storypage=1

August 7, 2010

Xstrata announces Ulan West mine plan

Xstrata announces Ulan West mine plan

06 Aug, 2010 10:52 AM

Xstrata has announced plans to invest $A1.2 billion to develop a new underground thermal coal mine at the Ulan Coal site.

Pending government development and environmental approval, the new mine titled “Ulan West” will remain inside the Ulan Coal complex, complementing the Ulan No. 3 underground mine and using some of the sites existing infrastructure.

Xstrata plans to start building the Ulan West mine later this year, with first production estimated for 2014.

August 4, 2010

PUTTING SOME SIZZLE UNDER THE SAUSAGE!



The RSWUA has organised a public meeting with representatives from Centennial Coal at 4pm this coming Friday (Aug. 6) in the Running Stream Hall. And following the meeting, the Association is going to turn up the heat with a sausage sizzle so that we can thrash out some of the issues confronting us.
Foremost among these is the need for a thorough hydrological study before any exploratory drilling takes place. Just as the mining companies want to know the extent of the coal resource in our area, we want to know the extent of our water resource.
Given that water systems are often damaged and even destroyed through exploratory drilling, the Association believes that a comprehensive study of the water resource must be the first step in the process of exploring for coal.
So come along and enjoy a sausage sandwich and make sure your concerns are heard.