Independent inquiry into NSW southern coalfield

An independent inquiry into underground coal mining in the southern coalfield stretching from Sydney to the Southern Highlands will commence next year.

A panel of five experts will conduct the inquiry and hold public hearings in the new year.

From 2010 all proposed extensions to underground coal mining leases will require approval under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

An independent inquiry into these issues is timely with changes to the assessment system for extensions to existing coal mines.

Members of the public will be invited to make submissions to the expert panel and present their views at public hearings.

The inquiry will provide a sound technical foundation for the assessment and long term management of underground mining in the southern coalfield.

It could also form the basis for consideration of similar issues in other parts of the State.

The independent expert panel will consider:

• The effects of current and historic underground coal mining on rivers, creeks,  swamps and cliff lines in the southern coalfield;
• World’s best practice in the assessment, management and remediation of impacts associated with underground mining;
• Key factors which should be considered by Government in assessing and regulating underground mining near rivers, under Part 3A of the EP&A Act; and
• The social and economic importance of current and future coal mining in the southern coalfield to the region and the State.
  

Southern Coalfield - Independent Expert Panel

Terms of Reference

1. Undertake a strategic review of the impacts of underground mining in the Southern Coalfield on significant natural features (i.e. rivers and significant  streams, swamps and cliff lines), with particular emphasis on risks to water flows, water quality and aquatic ecosystems; and
2. Provide advice on best practice in regard to:
   a) assessment of subsidence impacts;
   b) avoiding and/or minimising adverse impacts on significant natural features; and
   c) management, monitoring and remediation of subsidence and subsidence-related impacts; and
3. Report on the social and economic significance to the region and the State of the coal resources in the Southern Coalfield.

The panel is to consider and advise on issues raised in written submissions and during the panel hearings that are relevant to the terms of reference listed above.

Panel Members

Professor Bruce Hebblewhite (chair) – subsidence expert and head of the School of Mining Engineering at the University of New South Wales and Executive Director of Mining Education Australia;

Professor Jim Galvin – subsidence expert, Managing Director of Galvin and Associates and visiting Professor of Mining Engineering at the University of New South Wales;

Mr Col Mackie – groundwater expert, Principal at Mackie Environmental Research with more than 30 years experience in undertaking groundwater assessments for major projects, including numerous underground coal mining projects;

Associate Professor Ron West – aquatic ecology expert from the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Wollongong and a member of the NSW Fisheries Scientific Committee (Threatened Aquatic Species);

Drew Collins – Managing Director of the BDA Group and a leading expert in undertaking social and economic analyses for major projects. Mr Collins was employed for many years with the NSW Environment Protection Agency and has since been appointed to numerous State and Federal government panels and committees.