Dendrobium Cancellation a win for Climate and Community
South 32’s cancellation of their Dendrobium mine extension underneath Sydney’s water catchment is a win for the climate and the community, says Cate Faehrmann, Greens MP and water spokesperson.
The Independent Planning Commission ruled out Dendrobium’s controversial coal mine expansion underneath Sydney’s water catchment in February 2021 but in late 2021 the NSW Government listed the project as State Significant Development.
“It’s unthinkable that extending this coal mine under Sydney’s water catchment out until 2048 could have ever been approved. This is a fantastic win for the community that has campaigned for years against this proposal and for the community whose water supply would have been placed at great risk,” said Cate Faehrmann.
“This mine would have put Sydney’s water catchment at risk at a time when the city’s long term water security is at greater and greater risk from climate change.
“I’ve seen for myself the damage that longwall mining does, having visited creeks and wetlands that have literally dried up because of the subsidence that occurs from mines underneath or nearby.
“The IPC report should have spelled the end for longwall mining anywhere near our water catchments. It’s a huge relief that South 32 has done what the NSW Government couldn’t and ruled out this project because even they can see that coal has no future,” said Cate Faehrmann.