Alan Jones came to the Upper Hunter on Wednesday 20th April 2016 to listen to us - yes, that's right ... in direct contrast to you two, he came to listen to us, the people who live in this valley, the voters who continue to watch in horror as you continue to destroy this beautiful home of ours.
Son of a coal miner, Alan Jones came with Channel 7 primarily to inform himself about the wanton destruction that has been wrought upon our valley negating our claim to being world famous for Hunter Valley Wines (now Hunter Valley Mines). He came to gather information from us voters, us farmers, us families, you know us real stakeholders, aka people without nihilistic vested interests hell bent on gutting this land and clearing out.
He also took the opportunity whilst he was here to fly over our once beautiful valley. I didn't envy him that exercise knowing how distressing the view is from a train window let alone a plane or a helicopter. He told us that the footage they had collected told a story of complete devastation. "Try telling someone to rehabilitate that land after what we have seen here this morning," he said to us. Of course we already know that it is sheer fantasy to imagine that the land having been decimated to the extent that it has been decimated could ever be rehabilitated. It would take way too many $$$ for anyone or any company to rehabilitate the land to the standard that it was before the commencement of mining projects. As we all well know, there is no rehabilitating the Hunter. You both are deluding yourselves if you think for a minute that we believe your spin. Many of us spoke to Alan, and oh, yes there was a theme. Notwithstanding that the group assembled all vote quite differently to each other, we all agreed that you, Michael Johnsen, are completely useless ineffectual and completely failing to represent us in our hour of need here in the Upper Hunter.
Arthur Mitchell, from the family-owned and operated Yarraman Park Thoroughbred Stud, reminded us that the horse farms in the Upper Hunter are arguably some of the best in the world, and cannot co-exist with the mines. The noise and dust emanating out of the mines create complete 'no-go zones' which are just not suitable for the breeding and raising of horses.
Alan Jones asked him if anyone had been to Upper Hunter to see what he and the Channel 7 crew had seen on their flight over the mines, to which Arthur replied "no, no-one has." Arthur went on to say that the ugliness has grown, and that the country has been trashed and is only getting worse. What do you both have to say about that, Mike and Michael? And what are you going to do about it?
Dordie Bragg, beef cattle farmer from Rossgole Pastoral Company, told Alan Jones that she was delighted to see him here in the Upper Hunter. She said that her family has been in the Upper Hunter for generations and that she is horrified at the extent of the pollution, the sludge in the water tanks, and how the dams of the surrounding mines are so toxic that there is never a bird to be seen on them.
When Alan Jones referred to the 'coexistent merchants' I thought of you, Michael, and how during your political campaign for the state election last year you were such an ardent fan of the imaginary concept of mines and farms coexisting. What a load of nonsense! Taking a turn on the microphone myself, I agreed with Alan Jones about how 'coexistence can not work, and how in my opinion Big Mine operates like the Mafia, and to that effect seemed to have already infiltrated governments and public institutions to get what they want.
Attunga Stud Principal, Brian Nutt, reiterated how farms and mines cannot coexist detailing that water is like gold, and that the mines are massive users of water.
Kiwa Fisher, one of our Upper Hunter Shire Councillors, listed future open cut mines on the cards for us, and mentioned that Dartbrook and Mount Pleaseant were already approved, which means more noise, more dust, and a massive impact on our local area and communities.
At the moment he told us there is no cumulative measure of impact, yet we all know that Dartbrook is plagued with spontaneous combustion problems, water problems, gas problems, toxic tailings maintenance problems, and elsewhere there are open coal seam fire problems - basically the message we are getting from you lot is 'good luck.'
Over a cuppa, Alan Jones pointed out that many of the licences granted to the surrounding mines were granted years ago and would no longer be applicable. This is correct, isn't it, Mike and Michael, that essentially the mining companies need to reapply all over again for new licences. Alan Jones suggested that you could employ the KISS principle, Mike, and then all you would have to do when considering the following three projects would be to say 'NO, GO AWAY.'
1. West Muswellbrook project (above): applying KISS principle = unacceptable impacts to alluvial aquifers 2. Dartbrook: applying KISS principle = new application not granted 3. Mt Pleasant: applying KISS principle = given licence granted in 1997 was a massive administrative and bureacratic mistake, and that no mining construction has yet begun, and that ownership has since changed, existing licence should not be transferred So, Mike, it is easy for you - all you have to do is say: 'NO ... these three mines may not proceed.'
Tony Lonergan, a resident from Dorset Road, Kayuga, representing one of only two families left from that former close knit community told Alan that his family have been there since the 1890s and now they have to face the prospect of the Muswellbrook West Project.
Tony pointed out that the mining industry is in trouble yet still mines are in 'Care & Maintenance' or 'For Sale' exposing more of our beautiful land. Furthermore he mentioned that there is no requirement to fill the voids left by the mines and that in fact they (the voids) are left for us to sort out. Occasionally there is tokenistic rehabilitation and top soil is put back but the sub soil is not. The final void can never be rehabilitated - so what do you both have to say about that?
(Catch-up time for Peter Hodges, farmer and former Upper Hunter Shire Councillor with Alan Jones) When Alan Jones and Channel 7's footage of their aerial sojourn above our valley is broadcast it will tell the Upper Hunter Mine story in a most articulate way, and you will not be able to shirk your responsibilities, Mike and Michael.
(Screen capture: scone.com.au) And before I sign off, to add to all our concerns is unsettling talk that Nathan Tinkler will be involved in the Dartbrook Open Cut Destruction Project - how can that possibly happen? He is a business menace ... ... and we are not impressed
... that this view from Blairmore Lane looking towards the currently moth-balled Dartbrook Underground Mine ...
... could end up like this? Is this what you both really want for us? All I can say is thank 'insert whichever-mythical-creature-you-like-to-invoke' that Alan Jones paid us a visit during the week because maybe now we might appear on your radar too.
Let's face it, to date neither of you have given us the time of day on this issue nor do either of you seem to have a plan of any merit for our fast-disappearing Upper Hunter.
Yet now more than ever we need informed and principled leaders to 'have our backs' and be prepared to say 'no' to Big Mine.
At a recent tree rally on Anzac Parade earlier this month many of us felt we had been sold out by those who ought to be protecting our beautiful heritage listed trees on Anzac Parade and Alison Road. Where was the outraged commentary from Centennial Parklands, or Royal Randwick, or even the City of Sydney, and why had the RSL been so nasty? And where was the covereage in the Sydney Morning Herald? Why hadn't this issue been on every front page since the trees had started to be felled? On reflection I guess the SMH were never going to get too involved given that they are so ridiculously propped up by both the horse-racing industry:
... and the oil industry:
Still notwithstanding the campaign to save the trees was gathering momentum on social media, there was a genuine sense of abandonement. But the ever-growing revulsion of our New South Wales representatives was totally justified today by Background Briefing's explosive expose of our dodgy government and 'vested' interests.
Acording to Background Briefing's report, that curly scrolly bridge in the above image (the massively controversial Tibby Cotter Cycling and Pedestrian Bridge) turns out to be suitable for vehicles up to 10 tons. Why, you ask, when to all intents and purposes the bridge was built for pedestrians and cylists? Well as Background Briefing informed us, it is considered to be highly likely that this massive structure is the early beginnings of a massive underground carpark The NSW government plans to completely commandeer our public lands and trees to build new stadiums and to create sporting precincts even for tennis which is so on the nose at the moment and may never recover. The government has been eagerly aided and abetted by the pathetic Centennial Parklands Trust and its trustees who have got completely confused as to what their brief actually is ... namely protecting the parklands and keeping them safely in trust for people now and in future to enjoy and use freely and naturally.
Goodbye Anzac Parade and Kippax Lake as we know it ...
... as we watch this out-of-control-government trash this unique
memorial and get ready to clutch their hearts on Anzac Day to feign
sorrow and gratitude.
For the benefit of NSW politicians, Background Briefing reminded us that the Anzacs marched down Randwick Road (later renamed to Anzac Parade in their memory) to Circular Quay and were bundled on to ships and off to war some of them never to return to Australia again ...
A sandstone obelisk designed and constructed by the city architect, RH Brodrick, was placed on Anzac Parade in 1917 to serve as a memorial to Diggers who did not return and as a meeting placed for those who did.
Yet even that poignant memorial was not safe from the machinations of a development-addicted government which under the premise of rennovation removed it indefinitely to some back lot of the Roads Department in order to build ...
... an entrance to a car-park ... so very disrepectful.
(Image: 1961 last day of Sydney trams on Anzac Parade, reservation Moore Park; Lindsay Bridge, Flickr)
And to think that if we hadn't got rid of Sydney's trams 55 years ago which we are now putting back at great cost and angst maybe this whole sorry saga might not have taken place ... Oh we have not been well served by our state representatives ... ... is it time to dispense with such a silly tier of government?
I am here because my traditional home environment is no longer adequate for my needs.
By allowing Big Mine and Big Corpa to mine the Hunter Valley into oblivion, you and your LNP government and other previous NSW state governments have taken away all my 'home' options.
We genuinely do not have a tree to turn to what with Warkworth, Bulga, Jerrys Plains, Mount Thorley, Mount Arthur, Drayton ...
... oh the list goes on, but suffice to say a couple of us have been checking out a spot near the river in Muswellbrook to move to (see top image) although I have to say word has already got out so that's getting pretty chokka too.
Please have a heart, Mr Johnsen and Singleton Shire Residents, you've all been part of our habitat destruction so please think responsibly about a solution to our shared problem.
(Sadly while we have coal this clip will always be relevant - I used this last year here)
The following is my submission of objection to the New South Wales government regarding Peabody's proposed expansion (write yours now! ... cut off date tomorrow, March 10 2016) ================== "That we are still being invited to write submissions on proposed mining extensions in this day and age beggars belief. What part of the climate science and climate change information available in the public domain does the New South Wales government not understand? Coal is history, and we must look to the post coal economy to find new horizons in terms of employment and viability of NSW's towns, villages, rural and outback communities. Everything is wrong with Peabody's request to destroy Wollar.
We all understand that they are a company with significant financial problems, and that in a bid to appease their fleeing share-holders they will do what it takes.
Black lung, among many other detrimental health conditions acquired as a result of living and or working near mining projects, has taken hold in our communities and has hit the airwaves - there is no denying the dire medical impacts of mining in terms of miners and the communities that surround mines any longer.
So why should an extension that we all know will make people sick be permitted? This mining company is questionably 'solvent' ... are they? ... and we have to wonder whether they could actually afford the costs of any catastrophic impact that their work might have on the surrounding environment. Just look at BHP and Samarco and Vale and the shocking devastation that they created, one could say wifully, at the end of last year in Brazil. This proposal from Peabody must be rejected.
The evidence and empirical data is in on coal mines, and it is dire - no-one is prepared to be deluded any longer.
Just as Salvage Companies back in the 18th and 19th centuries objected to 'Shipping Forecasts' being implemented because they were bad for business as they saved sailors' lives, so the mining companies will squeal and object to their business and business practices being rejected and mothballed. It is wrong wrong wrong, and you as the government are the trustees of our money and our state, and consequently you do not have my permission to grant this extension to this polluting, fossil fuel, community destroying company. Shame on you, New South Wales Government, for even wasting our time with this submission process"
Sydney is not happy with its chainsaw-wielding government.
This row of trees among many others (1,277 trees all up including 871 significant and heritage listed trees) is to be wood-chipped into oblivion.
So last Friday on the corner of Anzac Parade and Alison Road,
... a vigil was held for Sydney's trees ...
... to protest against the machinations of politicians too invested in bitumen and construction to be able to see clearly ...
... the havoc that their actions will wreak on this city.
Coordinated protests are set to continue as people from across the city and state come together in an ever-growing snowball as they discover that along with the ruthless planned decimation of our invaluable trees, the actual implementation of the CBD and South East Light Rail is projected to reduce public transport capacity by nearly 70% ...
... as well as ripping up another cycleway ... sigh Andrew Constance and Mike Baird need to pause and redesign the project so we can: Save our trees
Save our city
Save our souls
I have lived in Scone for 33 years and ever since I first arrived in August 1983 there has been talk of a bypass. Notwithstanding vested bypass interests, the coal boom is over, and infrastructure that may have been deemed necessary once upon a ‘coal’ time is obviously not needed now. If we have managed to get through the coal boom without a bypass or an overpass to date from here on in we are hardly going to need the road developments estimated to facilitate projected vehicle increases. In case you did not get the memo ... the coal industry has nose-dived. I wrote the following two pieces for my Scone Blog almost three years ago: 1. Now what else can we do to ruin Scone – a bypass, anyone? 2. Mushroom Club CEO briefs shareholders May 8, 2013
... and I’m submitting them both now as my feedback concerning the New England Highway.
We have suffered enough at the hands of the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) after you foolishly removed our round-about and inserted traffic lights as the round-about’s replacement.
Again this gold-plating of road infrastructure was done with unfounded projections of our highway needs apparently underpinned by a mining boom that many of us knew was never going to last. As a result of your irresponsible decision to manipulate our high street, we lost valuable car-parking space, and traffic speed increased exponentially with that hard-wired desire that compels motorists to make green lights from wherever they observe them.
I am surprised that I need to tell you this given that you work for the RMS and I do not ... yet everyone else around the world appreciates that round-abouts are traffic calming and traffic lights are not.
The RMS failed us with the round-about v traffic lights debacle so as far as I am concerned there is no reason to trust you now with this latest New England Highway development proposal which if you have your way will plague our town for decades to come. When you have read through the two blog posts posted online almost three years ago, just reflect upon this sentiment: “Why should we trust you or the Upper Hunter Shire Council now?”
Dear Joel, Please make representations on my behalf to Barnaby Joyce to shut this trade in greyhounds down. It is despicable that he hesitates to close the legal loophole which he has the power to close. Did you watch the 7:30 programme that exposed this wicked practice? I couldn't, it was so barbaric and it made me weep even more to realise that it's basically all being done on our watch. Those poor beautiful creatures. If I treated my dogs like that here in Australia I would be facing jail time. It is unconsionable that we allow the practice to carry on knowing full well the fate that awaits those sweet sensitive dogs. Please, Joel, shut this wicked industry down. Yours sincerely, Sue Abbott
