Stop new coal mines carving up our wilderness

The NSW government recently released their shocking proposal for new coal leases across the state. Many are proposed in globally significant places that are unlike anywhere else on Earth and have already been impacted by devastating bushfires.

Eight areas have been flagged for coal exploration, including spectacular forests that border our precious national parks such as Wollemi—the largest wilderness area in NSW—and the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. Some of the sites at risk are currently being assessed by the Australian Heritage Commission as part of a process to add them to the World Heritage Area itself ...

The NSW government recently released their shocking proposal for new coal leases across the state. Many are proposed in globally significant places that are unlike anywhere else on Earth and have already been impacted by devastating bushfires.

Eight areas have been flagged for coal exploration, including spectacular forests that border our precious national parks such as Wollemi—the largest wilderness area in NSW—and the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. Some of the sites at risk are currently being assessed by the Australian Heritage Commission as part of a process to add them to the World Heritage Area itself.

Coal exploration puts this spectacular natural area of deep gorges, river valleys and eucalyptus forest—which continues to hold significance to First Nations peoples across thousands of years—at risk. The Wiradjuri, Dharug, Wanaruah and Darkinjung people have a strong and ongoing cultural association with their traditional lands and waters in this region.

The best chance to stop risky projects is before they even start. Together, we can stop these dirty coal proposals progressing to the next step.

Please call on the NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean to intervene now before our wilderness is auctioned off to dirty fossil fuel companies—risking our wildlife, waterways and safe climate future. You can be one of thousands of people demonstrating to the NSW government the overwhelming opposition to coal expansion in the places we love—write to Matt Kean today.

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Image: Tim Beshara

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Email Minister Kean today!

Please ask the NSW Environment Minister to intervene to stop this coal expansion madness in the places we love—add your name today.

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Dear Minister Kean,

I am extremely concerned that your government may allow the exploration and development of coal mines in completely forested landscapes bordering the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
 
You’re in the NSW Cabinet that will make the final call on new coal release areas on the doorstep of Wollemi National Park. I urge you to oppose this plan to put Wollemi at risk, and to lobby your Cabinet colleagues to do the same.
 
If this plan proceeds, the impacts to biodiversity would be significant. The three proposed release areas on the edge of Wollemi—Hawkins, Rumker and Gangudy-Kelgoola—are located in an intact landscape with very significant remnant vegetation, 22 threatened fauna species and six threatened flora species. There are 45 recorded Aboriginal heritage sites in these locations – and many as yet unrecorded.
 
Ganguddy-Kelgoola, for example, covers a precious area of bush known as Coricudgy State Forest. The forest is home to nationally listed threatened species including the critically endangered regent honeyeater, endangered glossy black-cockatoo and the endangered spotted-tailed quoll. Coricudgy State Forest and nearby Nullo Mountain State Forest (also in Ganguddy-Kelgoola) are currently being considered for inclusion in the National Heritage List, as a step towards enshrining them in the World Heritage Area.
 
Wollemi National Park itself is home to the last wild stand of the Wollemi Pine, the ancient “dinosaur tree” that has survived for 60 million years. It is a global centre of evolution for species that are quintessentially Australian. And it’s a culturally significant place for the Wiradjuri, Dharug, Wanaruah and Darkingjung people. Yet Wollemi has no buffer zones and is vulnerable to the development of coal mines right up to its borders. More than 80% of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area was burned during the Black Summer Bushfires – so it’s urgent that you act to protect what’s left.
 
Coal is the biggest single contributor to the climate crisis. We are already experiencing more extreme weather events directly caused by a warming world due to the burning of fossil fuels. Without urgent action, the situation will get exponentially worse—especially for our most vulnerable communities. For a safe, liveable climate, we need to keep fossil fuels in the ground.
 
I ask that you, as NSW Environment Minister, do everything in your power to protect Wollemi National Park and the neighbouring forested landscapes that your government is proposing to release for coal exploration. Please act now to protect this special place for generations to come.

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