In addition the NSW government has established a group of senior ministers to develop a strategic plan for coal mining in New South Wales by the end of the year.

Planning minister Tony Kelly said the group has been charged with providing a coordinated strategy from government on coal mining and greater certainty to both the mining industry and local communities.

The group’s formation is in part, a response to today’s release by the Department of Planning of the Camberwell Cumulative Impact Review.

The review is also expected to inform a further range of government decisions relating to Camberwell including decisions on new mining proposals, existing mining operations, health studies and monitoring regimes.

The Singleton Argus reported on Friday that the report’s release would be ‘weeks away’ but managed to quote one of the author’s who said dust levels were at times in excess of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) air quality limits.

Today’s release was unexpected but very much welcomed.

The overall review included independent reports relating to water, air and noise.

The dust report was made available in June to the independent expert review panel appointed by the NSW Health chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant.

After reviewing the report, the panel recommended to Dr Chant that action be taken to reduce the exposure of residents from Camberwell to dust impacts based on the high number of exceedances of the 24 hour particulate matter 10 (PM10) criteria.

•Full report Friday’s Argus

Click on link below, then What's New - 13 July 10 - Camberwell Cumulative Impacts Review