PROGRESS is being made on air quality thanks in part to a big shift in attitude from the mining industry.
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“We have gone from being told nothing by the [coal] industry to they’re being
candid with the community about their operations,” a member of the Singleton Shire Healthy Environment Group, John Drinan, said.
Mr Drinan is a long-term campaigner, for first a better understanding and
monitoring of air quality and, second, the development of programs to reduce dust coming from mine sites.
“Since 2008 we have gone from being information-poor to being information-rich and that is a great achievement for everyone involved in the process,” he said.
Mr Drinan paid particular credit for the change in attitude to the work of NSW Minerals Council, Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and NSW Department of Health.
One pleasing aspect of change in attitude, according to Mr Drinan, is the fact mines are now more comfortable about explaining how they operate and ensuring they operate within the regulations.
“I feel we have reached a situation where the mining industry and the departments involved are doing things and working towards improving the air quality,” he said.
Mr Drinan commented after he attended and addressed two meetings last week in Singleton and Muswellbrook involving mining companies, government and community representatives to discuss practical ways of understanding, monitoring and managing air quality.
The two community sessions are an initiative of the Upper Hunter Mining Dialogue, which brings together the region’s coal producers, community groups and local and state government to address the impacts of mining.
“The mining industry takes the issue of air quality seriously,” NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee said.
“Hunter coal miners are part of the Hunter community, raise families in the Hunter and breathe the same air as everyone else.
“Over the past three years we’ve all learned a great deal about air quality in the region.
“And now, industry, government and community, are putting that information to work through practical initiatives to manage and reduce emissions from mining and other sources such as woodsmoke.”
Upper Hunter residents were provided with updates on the current state of air quality in the Upper Hunter and air quality initiatives underway.
Matt Riley, from the Office of Environment and Heritage, spoke about the results of three years of monitoring air quality in the Upper Hunter.
Department of Environment and Planning’s Scott Brooks and Environment Protection Authority’s Adam Gilligan told the community forum about their agency’s initiatives in cooperation with the mines, to reduce emissions.
Peter Forbes, from Anglo American’s Drayton mine, also presented practical examples of how government, the Dialogue and mine initiatives were working on the ground.
“I have lived in the valley for over 15 years,” he said.
“I’ve raised my family here, so air quality is an important issue for us.
“Over the past four years, significant steps have been taken to improve our understanding of the region’s air quality and to address community concerns.”