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13. Consultative process is addressing community concerns about mining beneath Appin township and Marhnyes Waterhole
The township of Appin is located near the upper Georges River in New South Wales, Australia. The Illawarra Coal operations undertake underground longwall mining some 500 metres below the surface. The mining can cause subsidence at the surface following extraction of the coal. Subsidence can cause cracking in the base of sandstone-bedded rivers and streams, redirecting water flow from the surface to the substrata. Mining has occurred beneath Appin and the Georges River, which has caused concerns to some local residents. These and other issues are being addressed through a comprehensive consultative process with key stakeholders.
Marhnyes Waterhole on the Georges River is of particular cultural and historic significance to the local Illawarra community. Concerns have been expressed by the community, government agencies and environmental groups about longwall mining beneath the waterhole.
A consultation program was initiated in 1998 and expanded in mid 2001. Meetings with more than 100 stakeholders were conducted, including local residents, community groups, government and environmental groups.
Those involved identified the need for stakeholder consultation and participation as a key concern. As a result, the Company developed a number of strategies to improve consultation and communication. A community office was opened in the Appin Village, providing a base for the Appin Area Community Working Group and for other community gatherings. Information about Illawarra Coal and the progress of longwall mining is provided at the office, which is staffed by Illawarra Coal representatives.
Regular newsletters and Community Information Sheets provide residents and other key stakeholders with up-to-date information regarding mining and other activities. The Company has also undertaken individual meetings with concerned residents and other stakeholders. A positive result of this consultation is that Property Subsidence Information Kits are prepared for all residents ahead of mining beneath their properties. The kits contain detailed information about the location of mining relative to their property, the expected impacts associated with cracking and any actions that may be required to address the cracking.
Mining beneath Marhnyes Waterhole was scheduled to be commenced by West Cliff mine in September 2002. The mining was planned several years in advance, and the longwall location could not have been modified without significant risk to the viability of West Cliff mine.
An innovative strain-relieving slot was drilled ahead of mining to reduce cracking of the rock bar that creates the waterhole. The slot, 29 metres long, 20 metres deep and 150 mm wide, was constructed adjacent to the river and was successful in limiting fracturing to the rock bar at the waterhole. However, some cracking did occur, with surface water redirected to the shallow substrata. Environmental flows of around 1.5 megalitres per day were provided to supplement the river during the period of mining effects and to provide water for aquatic life.
Now that mining beneath Marhnyes Waterhole is complete, remediation is being undertaken. This has included filling surface fractures, undertaken during November 2002, and grouting of the strain-relieving slot and riverbed to reinstate the integrity of the pools. The results of the remediation works to date have been encouraging. Paradoxically, the works have been hampered by rainfall, resulting in high water levels during the first half of this year. The works will continue once the water levels have receded.
Positive feedback has been received from stakeholders, indicating that the community consultation program has been effective and appreciated by participants. It has helped to build constructive relationships across government, community and environmental groups. The consultative strategies are resulting in the stakeholders having improved confidence in the Company's ability to address issues of concern.
However, some issues and concerns remain. Proposed mining areas intersect rivers and creeks across the Illawarra region, and stakeholders have expressed a desire for more input into the mine planning processes. People in the community have also raised concerns about impacts to homes and property from cracking. As a result of the concerns raised, Illawarra Coal is reviewing its mine planning to include a more rigorous assessment of surface features and to better communicate with key stakeholders during the planning process. The Company will continue to work closely with government agencies and community and environmental groups to address issues and concerns relating to mining in the area, within the context of sustainable mining plans.
