The Singleton community contributes so much towards the NSW economy it deserves to be heard on its calls for government action on air quality, said NSW Labor Opposition leader Jodi McKay who visited the region talking to Singleton and Muswellbrook councils and community representatives on the problems associated with air pollution in the Upper Hunter.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
So far this year there have 704 air quality alerts issued by the Upper Hunter's 14 air quality monitors which is 400 more than that recorded in 2018.
Following her meeting with Singleton Council where she was joined by Labor Shadow Minister for the Environment Kate Washington and the Labor Shadow Minister for the Hunter Clayton Barr Ms McKay delivered a scathing speech on the failure of the local member Michael Johnsen to even acknowledge there is a problem with air pollution in the region.
"Mr Johnsen refuses to listen to the community's pleas for action on air quality - he is ignoring this issue that is impacting his constituents," she said.
"Local doctors and medical professionals have repeatedly raised their concerns with the government about the increase in air quality alerts but to date their pleas for action have fallen on deaf ears."
Ms McKay said Labor backs the community's demands for a proper plan to address the cumulative effects of air pollution as a result of open cut mines in the area. "As a Leader from the Hunter, I know mining underpins the local economy, however community health concerns are serious and valid, and their concerns cannot be ignored" Ms McKay said.
She has called for the immediate employment of locally based inspectors who can monitor what is happening in the region's open cut mines.
We need the community to have confidence that the government departments and agencies including the Department of Planning and the Environment Protection Authority are taking care of and addressing their concerns, she said. Ms McKay also called a cumulative air study to be conducted for the region - something promised by the NSW Government for a number of years but never undertaken.
Singleton Mayor Sue Moore said Council were calling on the regulators to step forward and do there job as far and controlling air pollution in the region. Cr Moore said reports of the health impacts of air pollution need to be considered. "While we recognise the economic benefits of mining and coal-fired power stations it doesn't mean we have to accept lower air quality," she said.
Louise Nichols
From cattle to coal. Once a specialist agriculture writer today its about community, in particular, the Upper Hunter. I have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. Land use issues and the future direction of our region. But you cannot take ag out of the picture - our food and how we grow it is the basis of all life. Covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast rural issues is now part of my role with ACM.
From cattle to coal. Once a specialist agriculture writer today its about community, in particular, the Upper Hunter. I have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. Land use issues and the future direction of our region. But you cannot take ag out of the picture - our food and how we grow it is the basis of all life. Covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast rural issues is now part of my role with ACM.
