Speaking in Singleton today Mayor Sue Moore said it was a hard task her Council to balance the needs of mining and the impacts of air pollution.
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But the Mayor was adamant the community had the right to breathe clean air.
Cr Moore was speaking earlier today at a media presentation by the NSW Labor Opposition leader Jodi McKay who like the Mayor wants action to reduce air pollution.
At last night's Council meeting a motion by Cr Moore attracted support for a report on Singleton Council's action in response to climate change and air pollution.
A member of the Doctors for the Environment Australia group, local GP Dr Robert Vickers addressed Councils November 2019 meeting on the most recent air pollution data and the impacts on the health of the local community.
In response and following more than 90 minutes of debate, councillors supported Cr Moore's motion that Council acknowledge the presentation by Dr Vickers, and that a report or reports be prepared that outlines the actions Council has taken and plans to take in response to climate change and air pollution.
Cr Moore said reports of the health impacts of air pollution needs 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.
"This is an issue that affects the quality of life in Singleton, and creates a damaging perception for our area and our community.
"Council's Advocacy Agenda calls for action to consider consideration of amenity impacts on communities, such as air quality, as part of the approval process for mining and power station projects.
"We are also actively lobbying for State Government action to rehabilitate former mining land for economic, environmental, health and social benefits across our local government area. We will continue to lobby all sides of politics to have air quality for our community front and centre of every conversation. The air quality standards need to be reviewed and compliance activities increased.
"But we also recognise that all organisations can take actions for the long term benefit of our community, and the aim of the report that we have requested will be to outline what Council has done to date, and what actions we plan to undertake into the future
"I look forward to the council staff briefing councillors, the reports coming back to Council and for conversations to continue around these important issues. We are motivated to work with the community and government to improve liveability outcomes and to help Singleton become a destination of choice to live, work and play."
Member for Upper Hunter Michael Johnsen released a statement this afternoon saying "Like many in our community I share the genuine concerns about air quality in Upper Hunter, which it must be remembered are caused by a unique set of events at this time."
"What I cannot stand by and let happen is political point scoring and scare tactics being used by those public representatives who should know better.
"There are many unsubstantiated claims in the community, none of which are corroborated by medical or scientific fact, and the apologists for the rhetoric have yet to provide a shred of evidence, despite my publicly calling on them to do so.
"The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) advise that in 2019, air quality across NSW has been impacted by the severe drought and bushfire emergency and air pollution across NSW has been significantly worse than in 2018.
"No one is denying that.
"However NSW Health (including Hunter New England LHD) is not aware of the source of data underlying the statement attributed to a local political activist in The Singleton Argus earlier this month regarding any deaths in our region.
"Robust assessment of air pollution impacts on health requires factual evidence underlying any of the claims made, including those made by vested political interest groups masquerading as grassroots community groups.
"This is all part of a concerted campaign to blame it all on mining, and engage in anti-mining activism, despite the positive economic and lifestyle impact that the industry has on our local communities in Upper Hunter."
The Upper Hunter has now recorded 710 air quality alerts for 2019. In comparison to another severe drought year 2018 that's an addition 405 alerts.
It must also be noted the region had already recorded double the number of alerts in 2019 compared to 2018 before the region was impacted by bushfire smoke.
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.
