RSS feedEPA breaches
The Greens have analysed the NSW coal mining industry’s record of non-compliance with their EPA licences. The state wide results show that during the period from 2000 – 2006 there were 2,639 reported incidents where 75 coal-mining companies failed to comply with their EPA licences.
A background briefing on the increasing rate of non-compliance, of under reporting of pollution incidents, and the inability of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to enforce compliance requirements on mining companies.
A downloadable report of EPA pollution breaches, prepared by Lee Rhiannon's office
Compliance Performance Report — Coal Mines, January 2004: A report on compliance audits conducted by EPA Officers at 16 licensed coal mines in NSW
Given the deficiencies identified [in the Sustainability of Mining in Australia], there remains room for major improvement with respect to mining across all its sectors.
Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon is calling on the NSW government to open two new full-time Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) offices in Lithgow and Mudgee to deal with the rising number of mining companies that do not comply with their pollution licences in the Western coalfields.
The state wide results show that during the period from 2000 – 2006 there were 2,639 reported incidents where 75 coal-mining companies failed to comply with their EPA licences.
Research undertaken by Lee Rhiannon has revealed ongoing high rates of non-compliance by coal mining companies with their environmental licences. Coal mining companies in the Illawarra region are some of the worst repeat offenders, with water pollution breaches threatening the region’s drinking catchments.
Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon is calling on the Labor government to crack down on mining companies causing water, air and noise pollution and to force them to abide by their pollution licences.
People's Blockade of the World's Biggest Coal Port
