Residents in the north of the Central Coast, who live near Vales Point Power Station, the former Munmorah power station and Eraring Power Station are invited to a Citizens Inquiry to speak out about their health issues.
The Citizen’s Inquiry is being held at Halekulani Bowling Club Budgewoi, from 1pm on August 25, organised by Future Sooner, a group of residents concerned about the health effects of air pollution from the coal-burning power stations in the area.
“Future Sooner has collected a substantial body of evidence that indicates a strong causal link between coal pollution and many health conditions including cancers and respiratory disease,” said Dr Ian Charlton GP.
“Many residents of the Central Coast and Lake Macquarie may not even realise their health conditions are related to air pollution from Vales Point or Eraring power stations and their ash dumps.
“The Citizens Inquiry is an opportunity for the people to speak up about their, and their family’s health concerns,” he said.
Dr Charlton will chair a panel of health and academic professionals who will listen to the personal stories from residents who are suffering from chronic health problems.
A report from the Citizen’s Inquiry will go to the State Government as well as the United Nations and the World Health Organisation.
Praise for Future Sooner
The NSW Legislative Council praised Future Sooner in June for its ongoing commitment to raising awareness of the health impacts facing residents.
Future Sooner spokesman Gary Blaschke said the group appreciated the endorsement.
“This proves that the Minns Government, Opposition and crossbench acknowledge that the pollution from coal-fired power stations and their ash dams is linked to the chronic health conditions facing residents on the Central Coast and at Lake Macquarie,” Mr Blaschke said.
Three years ago Future Sooner submitted a report to the State Government’s Inquiry into Protection of the Environment Operations Amendment (Clean Air) Bill 2021.
“Medical evidence gathered by local epidemiologist Dr Ben Ewald indicates that approximately 650 children in the area have asthma that can be directly attributed to nitrogen dioxide emissions from coal-burning power stations,” the submission stated.
See full submission here: https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/lcdocs/submissions/72555/0008%20Future%20Sooner.pdf
UN Special Rapporteur
Future Sooner hosted United Nations Special Rapporteur Marcos Orellana at a public meeting in Chain Valley Bay last year when he visited Australia.
Orellana will soon publish a final report in September about his concerns on a wide range of issues he found in Australia, including air quality standards.
“Certain air quality standards in Australia are less protective than the World Health Organization’s standards. Moreover, certain coal-fired power plants, such as Vales Point in New South Wales, have been granted exemptions from existing air pollution standards,” his interim report stated.
On the ash dams, his report said:
“Ash dams from coal combustion also poses threats to groundwater and drinking water of local communities. Arsenic and selenium in groundwater have been reported. A 2021 parliamentary
inquiry into the cost for remediation of sites containing coal ash repositories in New South Wales expressed concern at the ‘complete disregard by the Government towards the health of its Citizens’.”
See more here: https://www.cccouncilwatch.com.au/un-visits-chain-valley-bay-to-hear-about-power-station/
EPA “a joke”
Future Sooner is highly critical of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for extending licences to Vales Point to allow emissions above NSW controls.
“It’s a joke. Here we have technology available that could clean up Delta Electricity’s Vales Point coal-fired power station and the EPA, with government support, is yet again contemplating extending its licence to pollute over and above NSW emission controls.” Mr Blaschke said.
“The Government’s own Inquiry in 2021 was damming of NSW Health, NSW EPA and stated that the government had demonstrated a complete disregard towards the health of its citizens.
Perhaps Health Minister Ryan Park, Premier Chris Minns and Environment & Energy Minister Penny Sharpe should also take a look at the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on air pollution.
“If the government and EPA don’t have the political intestinal fortitude to protect the health of its citizens and reject Delta’s request to extend Vales Point polluting licence and instead demand it either cleans up its act or shuts down, our Citizens Inquiry will,” he said.
The Date: The Citizen’s Inquiry is being held at Halekulani Bowling Club Budgewoi, from 1pm on August 25.
