Russell Vale mine expansion concerns to be aired

Increased risk of cardiovascular disease and lung cancer are among the concerns that will be raised by Doctors for the Environment Australia representative Dr Melissa Haswell.

She will make a joint submission with the Public Health Association of Australia at the forum being held at WIN Entertainment Centre by the NSW Planning Assessment Commission.

"There are a range of local health concerns due to the potential for increased air pollution risk," Dr Haswell said. "Of particular concern is the stockpiling - if particulate matter is escaping from stockpiles and blowing over communities.

"When the larger coal dust particles are inhaled, they can [be] caught in the upper airways, which might, for example, bring on asthma in someone who is already prone, or contribute to more mucus. We are also learning more and more about the smaller particles, which can go deeper into the lungs and can get into the bloodstream and promote cardiovascular disease or chronic irritation and are also linked to an increased risk of lung cancer."

Dr Haswell said the security and protection of the water supply was also of concern.

If approved, the expansion would allow Wollongong Coal - formerly Gujarat NRE - to mine near Cataract Dam and under Sydney's water catchment area.

The Indian-owned company plans to extract 4.7 million tonnes of coal from eight longwalls over a five-year period.

"It's vital that areas that are so important to public health are protected from any avoidable risks, given the stress on our water supply system in coming years," Dr Haswell said.

Doctors for the Environment Australia, a voluntary organisation of medical doctors in all states and territories, works to address the diseases caused by environmental damage.

Dr Haswell said this included global issues such as climate change.

"As coal is a major greenhouse gas producer, [this presentation] is part of a very important public health urgency we have, which is to reduce our carbon emissions and greenhouse gases because the health impacts of climate change are extraordinarily large," Dr Haswell said.

Planning Minister Pru Goward has asked the commission toreview the merits of expansion plans, which she recommended for approval in December, because of high public interest.

Representatives from the Illawarra Business Chamber, Wollongong Transport Coalition and Illawarra Residents for Responsible Mining will be among about 60 speakers at the public hearing, which starts at 9am.

lwachsmuth@fairfaxmedia.com.au