There is no “Catchment B”, Member for Goulburn Pru Goward told NSW parliament on Thursday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Residents of communities near Sydney succeeded in triggering a debate over coal mining in the region’s water catchment, after getting 13,500 signatures on a petition calling for an inquiry.
Led by groups fighting the Hume Coal proposal to mine under Sutton Forest, environmentalists from around the region staged a rally outside parliament.
“Few than one in five [Southern Highlands] residents support the mine proposal,” Ms Goward said.
“Over two thirds of shire residents are worried about the impact on flora and fauna from the mine.
“These results demonstrate a clear level of alarm within the community … and this alarm has grown.”
Most Coalition MLAs left the chamber as soon as the petition and debate were announced but Ms Goward remained and spoke until she ran out of time.