river, mining, creek, georges, water, longwall, coal, wedderburn, hares, catchment, damage, bhp, billiton, environmental, iluka, location, macarthur, flow, companies, bushwalkers, subsidence, nsw, illawarra, australia, basin, appin, photographs, people, streams, cataract, state, government, swamp, campbelltown, industry, dam, clean, cracked, crossing

She's Alive... Beautiful... Finite... Hurting... Worth Dying for.

This is a non-commercial attempt to highlight the fact that world leaders, irresponsible corporates and mindless 'consumers' are combining to destroy life on earth. It is dedicated to all who died fighting for the planet and those whose lives are on the line today. The cut was put together by Vivek Chauhan,

Quitcoal link

Somewhere in America a family will lose a loved one in the next hour as a result of pollution from coal-fired power plants.

Pollution from the coal industry isn’t just poisoning our communities. It’s polluting our political process as well. The millions of dollars they spend on lobbying and campaign contributions has allowed them to continue doing business as usual. But that’s changing.

Communities everywhere are standing up to the coal industry and doing what they have to do to keep their families safe and protect their air and water. And Greenpeace is supporting them.

Georges River in Dire Straits - lowest water level recorded by Macarthur Bushwalkers - all water flow ceased

Lock The Gate Protest March - Sydney Sunday 20 March

17, 18 and 19 March members of Macarthur Bushwalkers were in the Georges River Catchment monitoring the flow of water which had ceased to exist.

• We photographed water flowing our of O'Hares Creek headwaters at Maddons Plains
• We photographed water flowing along Georges River Upper Catchment and over kings Falls at Appin.
• We photographed polluted water flowing out of BHP Billiton Illawarra Coals Brennan's Creek Dam

We found NO WATER FLOW at the Woolwash where these water courses converge. By marking the water levels on a rock we have been able to determine the highs and lows of water levels in O'Hares Creek (primitive but effective). On Saturday the the water level had dropped 40 cm / 16 inches below our previously lowest recorded level.

I spent Thursday, Friday and Saturday photographing the catchment along with other members of Macarthur Bushwalkers. Katherine Cusack, Shadow Minister for the Environment and Geoff McGill, Editor of the Macarthur Advertiser and Megan Gorrey, journalist from macarthur Advertiser were present on Thursday 17th.

We have been reporting very low to no water flow in the river for two years now. Originally BHP blamed it on drought. In the last two years we have had high rain fall and the Bureau of Meteorology informed us that the only year of concern for the river was 1982 / 83.

On Saturday 19 March at a location where we have previously established a primitive marking system we recorded a water level 40 cm / 16 inches below the previous lowest level. Georges River is now a river and catchment in deep trouble.

From the same plateau we have the badly damaged Waratah Rivulet which services the Woronora Dam supplying water to Cronulla and the Illawarra. Further south we have the Cataract, Cordeau and Avon Dams supplying Warragamba These four dams are the reason why we started to monitor Georges River in the first place. Cataract River has regularly ceased to flow (recorded 20 times).

We have heavy metals being pumped into Georges River at a rate 11 / 17 times greater than the maximum allowed anywhere in the western world. People fish, swim, water ski and use the water for crops.The river flows through the suburbs of southern Sydney to Botany Bay National Park where there are fish hatcheries.This is a huge disaster right on Sydney's door step.

Water prices up, use down

Georges River Macarthur - Longwall Mining - Sydney Catchments

This website introduces the Keneally Governments mining legacy to the people of NSW

Drilling for gas - GASLAND Trailer 2010 - Hydraulic Fracturing

Ground Water Mismanagement

In November 2010 we obtained a number of documents from different sources which we have published on this website and the links follow below . These same documents can also be accessed from the Macarthur Bushwalkers and Georges River Macarthur websites.

1. 20100510_Groundwater_report - Sustainable management of Victoria's Ground Water Management
2. DOC271010 - BHP Illawarra Coal's licence to pollute Georges River
3. Groundwater threat to rivers worse than suspected (Media Release) - CSIRO, Ground water threat to rivers worse than suspected (Media Release)
4. guidelines-for-groundwater-protection - Guidelines for water protection in New Zealand and Australia
5. what happened to the waratah rivulet - A CASE STUDY OF THE FAILURE TO PROTECT STREAMS FROM LONGWALL MINING - Dave Burgess Total Environment Centre

NSW community groups resist mining and the NSW Government

Throughout NSW there are community groups fighting to protect our water supplies from long term destruction by the mining industry and other multi nationals. From the Woronora Plateau to Southern Coalfield. In the Hunter Valley, on Liverpool Plains, into the Blue Mountains and beyond.

The Wallerawang Power Station operated by Delta Electricity pumps salts and metals into Cox's River which runs directly into Sydney's drinking water supply. There has been no action taken against them

Closer to Sydney there is the Waratah Rivulet which is badly damaged by Peabody Mining. Close by we have O'Hares Creek, the major tributary of Georges River. Both tributaries now only flow after rain. SCA records show that despite SCA advice the minister of the day chose to support Peabody, an American mining company against the advice of his own experts.

Not long ago BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal caused considerable damage to the Upper Canal which carries 27% of Sydney's water supply as they smashed Simpson's Creek which ran into the Nepean river near Appin. Both these incidents have been reported on our website's. The damage to the Upper Canal is ongoing as the four adjacent longwall mines settle.

Were it not for the small groups of determined people fighting to preserve the Australian environment and water supply for generations to come, the environmental damage would be considerably greater.

NSW Government - Class actions - Multi-nationals

Lack of foresight, lack of knowledge, desperation, and corruption have given NSW the worst government in our history. Here in Wollondilly Shire, the Minister for Water Phil Costa our own local MP is a man who fly'sacemenu_loader.js the NSW Labor flag by showing his face at many public meetings. Unfortunately, he has a tendency to disappear before questions can be asked of him and he doesn't respond to letters.

Phil has promised to investigate why Thirlmere Lakes have dried up, it would certainly have been better to stop it happening in the first place. It;s too late after its gone Phil!. Each politician passes our enquiries onto the next until they ultimately end up with Frank Sartor who is non-committal. Perhaps the best description of our politicians is that they are fleet of foot.

Sydney law firms on BHP Billiton retainers

In 2010 Macarthur Bushwalkers approached many Sydney law firms in an attempt to start a class action against the Keneally government and its ministers. Every law firm we approached stated that they had a staff member on a retainer from BHP Billiton and were unable or unwilling discuss the issues with us. At this point we have no idea if it is possible to take action against a NSW minister or premier.

Shortly after this the mining industry launched its ant tax campaign supported by Tony Abbott and the power brokers of both the NSW and Victorian Labor party. Exit Kevin Rudd.

Is it possible that both the NSW State and Australian Federal Governments are puppets of the multi-nationals, it certainly looks that way. Perhaps colonialism is still here, it just wears a corporate hat.

In the view of this organisation it is time that state governments were abolished, they are out of date, inefficient, very costly and most of all incompetent.

I guess this leads us onto the following issue of BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal polluting Georges River, please read on.

The Woolwash photographed 15 May 2010 - Water flow had ceased from O'Hares Creek which carries 70% of Georges Rivers water
Please visit Georges River runs dry - is it too late? for more photographs and a report

BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal Brennan's Creek Dam pollution of Georges River - November 2010

Congratulations BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal on your decision not to pursue your original plan to mine under the Dharawal State Recreation Area. We are hoping that your decision has opened the door to possibility of even more excellent decision making which will benefit the environment, local communities and population of NSW.

Georges River mining pollution levels were 11 to 17 times greater than the maximum acceptable limits

Under the freedom of information act Macarthur Bushwalkers recently obtained a copy of BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal's DOC 271010.pdf License No 2504 License Holder Endeavor Coal Pty Ltd.

Reporting period 01 February 2009 to 31 Jan 2010 - Premises West Cliff and North Cliff Collieries Wedderburn Rd Appin NSW.

This document is an annual return which covers monitoring and complaints, statement of compliance and license conditions

The document shows the pollutants discharged into Georges River from the Brennan's Creek Reclaim Dam located in close proximity to the town of Appin.

We note that pollutants levels far exceeded the maximum levels stipulated by government. In fact the levels were 11 times and 17 times greater than acceptable.

Campbelltown Council fails to protect the public

It has already been reported that these pollutants are damaging to the environment but one must ask how long has this pollution existed and what effects will it have on both human and animal life. Downstream there are beaches used regularly by the residents of Macarthur and Campbelltown.

Campbelltown Council has not thought to put warning signs at The Woolwash, Freres Crossing, The Basin and Old Ford Road. Council staff informed me that Simmo's Beach already had a pollution sign. Only this year Campbelltown Council was given a B+ for the state of the Georges River. We question the validity of this rating.

Questions to Campbelltown Council

Prior to the last federal election we engaged in a short telephone conversation with a Campbelltown Councilor. At the time she was manning the phone in support of the local liberal candidate.
We had a number of questions to ask that candidate re pollution in Georges River. The councilor who answered the phone stated that she could answer the questions so we went ahead and asked them.
It quickly became obvious that the councilor simply wasn't aware of the pollution issue in Georges River and was completely out of her depth with our relatively simple questions. When we expressed our concerns to the councilor they appeared to generate frustration and anger. At the termination of the phone call she stated that she would get back to us with answers, she never did.

We also tried to make an appointment with Campbelltown Councils General Manage, we are still waiting for them to reply with our appointment.

Our questions were:

1. Why was there no pollution signs at beaches frequently used for swimming by locals? - (council staff comments "lack of funding and hoons would destroy them").
2. Why was there insufficient funding available to allow more than one water test per year especially when council can allocate over $800,000 to publicised their own activities? - (councils own publicity).
3. Why did they test after rain?. - (council staff didn't know). Wouldn't it be better to test during the warm dryer months when people are using the river.
4. Why did they test at Wedderburn Gorge and not areas frequented by the public? - (council staff comments "nil").
5. How can a river which is polluted receive a B+ rating? - (cannot get an answer).

Having waited patiently for a response to our questions we now ask Campbelltown Council to provide answers to the previous questions 1 to 5 yet again.

Why does 250,000 people need three councils?

I guess the sixth question should be why has Wollondilly Shire, Camden and Campbelltown got three councils to administer quarter of a million people. This is also an issue that should be addressed as the cost of living rises. The cost of running three councils is far to high for this number of people.

Allan Carriage - Aboriginal Heritage: water everyone's future

Allan's website reports damage to the SCA Upper Canal, Whale Cave, O'Hares Creek and the Waratah Rivulet, keep looking and watch his list grow.

• Aboriginal Heritage: water everyone's future
• Simpson's Creek - undermined by illawarra Coal
• Whale Cave - undermined by illawarra Coal
• Waratah Rivulet
• When the river runs dry
• O'Hares Creek - area longwall mined by Illawarra Coal
• Simpson's Creek Upper Canal - undermined by illawarra Coal
• Frank Sartor & DECCW - Letters to Frank Sartor and Dept of Environment, Climate Change and Water re Whale Cave and Woronora Catchments (328 kb)
• Aboriginal Site - Waratah Rivulet - A visit into the Waratah Rivulet on 1st Sept 2010 revealed new cracks across this extensive site where originally there hadn't been and damage at all.

15 May 2010 all water flow ceased in the Georges River Catchment

Macarthur Bushwalkers recorded this event Saturday 15 May. After discovering the lack of water flow in O'Hares Creek we drove to Appin to view Kings Falls at Appin which is part of Georges River Upper Catchment. Finding no water flow there we walked to the BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal dam run off and found a reduced water flow which merges with the river a couple of hundred metres downstream.

The only water flowing into the Georges River was provided by BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal and in the past has been reported as polluted.

The Georges River Catchment we are monitoring covers an area within the boundaries identified by Bulli Tops, Cataract Dam, Appin, Wedderburn, Campbelltown, Kentlyn and Minto.

We have sent a submission to stop mining under the Woronora plateau and its catchment to The Premier, Frank Sartor, Leader of the Opposition and several senators and MP's.

In addition those same documents have been forwarded to the United Nations in Geneva protesting deprivation of water to the flora and fauna of the Woronora Plateau and the people of Sydney, Sutherland Shire and the Illawarra. We are also protesting the deliberate destruction by the NSW government and the mining industry of aboriginal sites, culture and history which belong to a people who migrated to Australia 65.000 years ago, one of the greatest migrations in human history.

To Frank Sartor:

• Submission Frank Sartor2
• Georges River Upper Catchment - Appin - Frank Sartor (2)
• Georges River Upper Catchment - Simpsons Creek - Frank Sartor
• O'Hares Creek - Woolwash - Frank Sartor

Aboriginal Heritage: Water - Everyone's Future

The Macarthur Bushwalkers welcomes Allan Carriage to our ranks. Allen is a tribal elder of the Wadi Wadi people, traditional owners of the Woronora Plateau, its rivers, swamps and catchment.

Allan approached us with a request to become involved with our Georges River Macarthur Project. Allen's personal view of "Aboriginal Heritage: Water - Everyone's Future" struck a chord and fits well within the Georges River Macarthur concept of informing the people of NSW about the threat to their water supply.

Wednesday 19 May - Allen led us on a trip to a dry and very badly damaged creek bed near Appin which we weren't aware existed. Absolute shock describes our initial reaction to the creek which is so badly cracked that water ceased to flow along its length a long time ago. The creek at one time was part of the Nepean River catchment. It is a sharp reminder of what is now happening to the Upper Georges River and O'Hares Creek on the Woronora Plateau right now.

There was far too much damage, too many cracks in the river bed to count. Allan informed us of two caves, we visited one and discover artifacts of the Wadi Wadi people and other tribes who have occupied this location over the years. Allan told us that both politicians and mining executives had visited the site with him in the past.

We asked Allan if the cave had the same significance to the Wadi Wadi people as the churches and cathedrals have to the white man. The answer was yes, how would the white man feel if a longwall damaged St Andrews in Sydney? The spirit of the rivers, creeks, the land, everything is part of their religion.

Members of the Macarthur Bushwalkers visited this site again on Saturday 23 May 2010 taking many more photographs as we ventured down the gorge to the second cave and beyond. These photographs are reserved for the Aboriginal Heritage: Water - Everyone's Future website now in development.

Prior to our walk, we met with Allan at Menangle for a discussion at the home of a man who is preparing his home for the longwall to come through. We assisted him by taking many photographs of his home and land to be used as evidence after his home is damaged when the longwall passes underneath. We asked him if we could speak to his neighbors. He told us they were in the negotiation stage with the mining company and wouldn't talk to us. He did say "you can't help me and I have no option but to negotiate with the mining company, you must save the rivers, we cannot repair them."

Our focus is on water but it is very hard not to become involved with these people who are losing their homes.

Environmental Damage - Lack of Publicity

It appears that the only organisation focusing on water flow is the Macarthur Bushwalkers. This lack of publicity will be rectified in the coming weeks with the creation of the Aboriginal Heritage: Water - Everyone's Future website for Allan Carriage which is already in development with publication planned for June.

Longwall Mine Buffer Zones to protect rivers, creeks and swamps

On Saturday 15 May we discovered that there was NO water flowing along O'Hares Creek into Georges River. The same applied to the Upper Georges River from Appin. We did however find water flowing from BHP Billitons dam.

We have published photographs - see Georges River runs dry - is it too late?

Despite our invitations via email to politicians of both major parties and direct invitations to the leaders we have received no response. We personally emailed Kristina Keneally and the Leader of the Opposition to put on their hard hats, grab a water bottle and come and see for themselves.

The life cycle of water: the oceans - sun - evaporation - clouds - rainfall - ground water- swamps - creeks - rivers - the oceans

Life Cycle of Water - Nature doesn't create new water. It constantly recycles the same water that existed on the planet billions of years ago.

The importance of accurate information

The photographs and information on this website prove beyond doubt that the mining industry is destroying the Woronora catchment, its swamps, rivers and along with it Sydneys water supply. We deal in facts, our photographs document the Georges River catchment throughout the the seasons and varying weather conditions.

Our information is updated regularly with new information and photographs being added every month.

The information we provide is not based on theory, graphs or on unproven ideas, we do not publish inaccurate statements. What you see on these pages is obtained on foot or by mountain bike using cameras. We travel the length and breadth of the Georges river catchment from Darkes Forest near the coast to The basin at Kentlyn near Campbelltown.

We are now discovering that unless we have had rain Georges River is dry much of the time. Even though we have always been a country of "drought and flooding rain" the river is now a poor imitation of the beautiful river it once was.We anticipate this situation will get worse as we move into dryer months. Just two years ago the river in this location was only one metre wide in places and we walked over it very easily. The mining industry said low river levels were caused by drought and we accepted it then, but NEVER AGAIN!

Georges River and O'Hares Creek merger at the Woolwash - 24/04/2010

This sand bar seen above wasn't accessible last time we visited the Woolwash, we had to stand in the river to photograph the rapids on O'Hares Creek to the right and off of this photograph.

Only a few kilometers downstream we have the Basin at Kentlyn which figures heavily in our project. it looks pretty much the same with almost no water.

BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal talk about saving and protecting rare and endangered species of flora and fauna in their Bulli Coal Seam submission. Too little too late, it now appears that the urgency now must be to save Georges River and its catchment.

The story of Georges River from the early 80's

My name is Georges River, I was named after King Georges III. I am the longest river flowing from the Woronora catchment with a journey of 96+km before I reach the sea at Botany Bay.
I have two tributaries:

• From the Woronora Plateau water flows down Maddens Creek near Bulli Tops into O'Hares Creek, my major source of water. The flow continues draining water from the the Iluka Swamps via Iluka Creek. The volume increases as the river flows toward Campbelltown. The gorges become deeper and difficult to negotiate but the views are extremely pretty. There is an abundance of animal life as can be seen from the tracks left in the sandy areas. O'Hares Creek flows on until it reaches Wedderburn and merges with Stokes Creek before finally meeting Georges River at the Woolwash between Minto and Wedderburn. (Location 3)
• Georges River Upper Catchment starts near the Cataract Scout camp off Appin road near Cataract Dam. Part of the area is restricted and carries heavy penalties for trespass. The river crosses under Appin road and meanders around the back of Appin merging with the discharge from the BHP Billiton dam run off. The river flows through Myrhnes Hole on its journey past Wedderburn, through Wedderburn Gorge along the back of Minto meeting O'Hares Creek at the Woolwash. Downstream it passes through Appin and Wedderburn, Campbelltown, Freres Crossing, The Basin, and Old Ford Road towards Minto and Glenfield
• Eventually I pass over Liverpool Weir and continue onwards to Botany Bay passing through many Sydney suburbs.
• Today I am used for leisure with people fishing, boating, cruising, water skiing and swimming in my waters.
• I the past I was used for trade and before that for drinking water and survival of aboriginal people and early settlers.
• My upper catchments are home to many species of flora and fauna. some of them rare and endangered.
• The Woronora Plateau has never been subjected to tourism or industry and the waters and swamps are pristine.

Georges River at The Basin Kentlyn

Georges River Kentlyn Easter Monday 05/04/10 after rain the previous week.
View from above the waterfall at the Basin showing total water flow of the immense Woronora catchment

• If my swamps dry out they are vulnerable to bush fire which can destroy them. Eventually other flora will grow there and they will be lost forever.
• My swamps are like a sponge, they hold water which is released over time into my tributaries.
• Longwall mining cracks rock under swamps allowing the water to drain away and swamps to dry out.
• BHP Billiton has already mined under my swamps and intends to do so again.

• O'Hares Creek is reputed to carry up to 75% of my total water supply from the catchments.
• BHP Billiton and other mining companies now longwall mine under my catchments.
• Since longwall started water flow in my rivers has gradually reduced to almost zero throughout the dry seasons.
• Macarthur bushwalkers have now recorded total loss of water flow in both both of my tributaries on several occasions during 2009/10 and almost no water flow on additional occasions during their ongoing project "Georges River Macarthur".
• The BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal Bulli Seam coal project will subject my O'Hares creek tributary to mining disturbance over a distance of 17 kilometers with a time frame of 30 years.

Kings Falls and Georges River Upper Catchment - Appin

The Upper Georges River tributary - ceases to be recognised as a viable source of water for the river

Kings Falls Bridge - There has been no water in this area for some time, BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal say this is caused by drought despite the area experiencing the wettest summer for 10 years and we have photographed the river in flood which quickly dissipated?
One can briefly view this location from a car as it passes over the bridge to enter or exit Appin from the direction of Bulli.
We had intended to photograph this section of the Georges River Upper catchment for posterity over the 15 months of our project but didn't deem it important having previously written the Georges River Upper Catchment off, how wrong we were!

• The photograph below left is taken one week later showing water flow further reduced over Kings Falls.
• The photograph below right shows the water being released from the BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal dam discharge pipe. This pipe we believe is polluted and on many occasions greater than the total flow from both tributaries of Georges River.

• We have discovered that on several occasions almost the entire water flow in Georges River comes from BHP Billiton's Illawarra Coal dam discharge outlet GR976127 Appin Topographical Map 9029-1S.
• People swim in this water downstream at The Woolwash, Freres Crossing, The Basin and the Old Ford Road.
• Some of these locations do not carry pollution warning signs, the Old Ford Road, The Basin, Freres Crossing fall into this category.

The Causeway - Wedderburn Gorge - Upper Georges River Catchment

O' HARES CREEK - the Georges River main water supply

We have observed O'Hares Creek with an almost non-existent water flow several times in 2010.

O'Hares Creek / Stokes Creek water gauges weekend of 12 / 13 March 2010

• The river gauge above left on O'Hares Creek at Wedderburn in recent years received almost the entire flow volume of water from the upper catchment.
• The photograph above right is taken on O'Hares Creek at GR 001163 at the merger with Cobbong Creek. The creek is difficult to access so a telephoto lens was used

The photograph above right is of the Stokes Creek / Wedderburn catchment only prior to the merge with O'Hares Creek.

Campbelltown Council recently received a $650,000 grant to upgrade parts of me for tourism purposes.

Punchbowl Creek - The Basin - Kentlyn

Punchbowl Creek enters the Basin from the east after draining approximately 50 square kilometers of Georges River catchment. It is as close as 2 kilometers in places to the Woronora lake and only 3 kilometers from the Woronora river. Bhp Billiton Illawarra Coal intends to longwall mine under these areas affecting the headwaters of the Punchbowl Creek, Woronora River, Dahlia Creek, Dahlia Swamp and adjacent to O'Hares Creek for a distance of 17 kilometers

BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal state that they do not mine under rivers yet they intend to mine within metres of OUR swamps and creeks which supply water to the rivers. They quote a distance of 1 kilo metre as a safety zone to stop cracking of the river beds and this is questionable.
gr_punchbowl_kentlyn - Punchbowl Creek at the Basin Georges River NSW, includes Google Earth map

On the 10 April 2010 Punchbowl creek was pristine with crystal clear water and healthy growth within the creek and along its banks. These photographs are the first of many as we expand our parameters to embrace areas not previously mined.

Lack of information in the past has aided the mining industry in its denial that their activities have damaged rivers and catchments here and overseas.

Macarthur Bushwalkers and politics

Macarthur Bushwalkers / Macarthur Bicycle Users Group was not involved in politics until February 2010. At that point we felt that to remain neutral was and is a cowards way of handling issues that need to be addressed. Our findings are heart wrenching for those of us interested in our rivers and the flora and fauna that depend on them. We fear for the future of our water supplies which will affect all life near and far from our catchments.

We are monitoring 100 square kilometers or more of a major Sydney Catchment, the Woronora Plateau. The catchment supplies water to the Woronora Dam, Cataract Dam, Nepean Dam, Cordeaux Dam, Avon Dam and Warragamba Dam.

We chose Georges River to monitor because of its close proximity to the Cataract River, Nepean River, Woronora River and Waratah Rivulet. The Waratah Rivulet is now badly cracked and water flows after rain only. It appears this is also now happening with Georges River. We are now regularly photographing water flowing in the catchment from both tributaries only after rain with the exception of the discharge from the BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal Appin mines dam. Whatever happens to Georges Rivers will happen to other rivers of the catchment and it already is starting with the Cataract River flow ceasing on 20 occasions.

BHP Billiton wish to extend their mining operations for the next 30 years under a catchment already struggling from previous mining operations. BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal deny they are at fault. We have learned that mining companies always deny responsibility because we, the public, cannot prove beyond doubt that they are destroying the environment and our rivers!

Decisions made by past and present NSW Governments which include Premier Kristina Keneally have been made despite advice from scientific bodies set up for that very purpose. - see mining politicians.

Macarthur Bushwalkers Monitoring locations:

We initially identified and established seven locations from The Basin at Kentlyn to the distant location (location 7) near Darkes Forest on the upper reaches of O'Hares Creek in the Georges River Upper Catchment. The most important location is The Basin at Kentlyn. Here the flow from all major sources - O'Hares, Stokes, Maddens and Punchbowl Creeks plus the water from the swamps of the upper catchment can be observed and photographed.

Location 1. The Basin on Georges River at Kentlyn (banner photograph taken during drought early 2009)
Georges River - The Basin

Location 2. The Cause way at Wedderburn Gorge Wedderburn Gorge

Location 3. The Woolwash, junction of Georges River and O'Hares Creek
Woolwash

Location 4. The water gauge upstream of location 3 on O'Hares Creek Wedderburn
O'Hare - Wedderburn

Location 5. The water gauge upstream of O'Hares Creek / Stokes Creek junction Wedderburn
Stokes Creek - Wedderburn

Location 6. Iluka Swamp in the Dharawal State Recreation Area
Iluka Swamp

Location 7. River crossing downstream of Iluka Creek on O'Hares Creek
O'Hare - Iluka Creek

The Woolwash

In 2008 the main river channel was so lacking in water it was possible to stride over it, a distance of approximately one metre.

The Woolwash is an important monitoring point in our project, here we can see the water flowing from both tributaries of the catchment as they enter the main Georges River.

The river now widens and takes on the appearance of a full size river. We see all manner of flora, fauna and spectacular scenery with stalactite like rock formations caused by water seepage. Bright green pythons, water dragons, red bellied black snakes, wallabies, eastern gray kangaroos, sulphur crested cockatoos, yellow tailed black cockatoos, gang gang cockatoos, honey eaters, the list is endless.

One comes across groves of grass trees and gymea lilies where one walks through huge strap like plants, their deep red flowers as big as cabbages on stalks 5 to 6 metre's high which tower overhead.

At Kentlyn the river flows over a water fall at The Basin turns left towards Liverpool and meets Punchbowl Creek at this same location. Here ALL the rivers sources meet, we should see a healthy vibrant river.

Google Mining research - longwall mining damage - environmental damage BHP Billiton

We felt the need to learn about the mining industries attitudes, methods and techniques when dealing with communities. It was also important to discover where possible the benefits they provided to those same communities.

Simply by utilising the terms longwall mining damage - environmental damage BHP Billiton we unearthed a shocking history of disasters, atrocities, pollution and total disregard for people and governments world wide.

Google and the internet made it easy for us to access information about mining, environmental disasters and their long term affects on the people and the countries they operate in. There was a tremendous amount of information available from the US which we we have used to create a background for this website. Why reinvent the wheel?

The Americans have been exposed to bad mining practices on a grand scale for 150 years. We will and are already experiencing the consequences of similar bad mining practices here. UK and Europe has also had its share of issues with mining. It seems the countries of operation change but the companies are the same.

We also discovered that communities affected by the mining industries activities are strongly reacting. They are publishing the effects of mining on their websites. The BHP Billiton Annual General Meeting report (below) is fascinating but horrifying reading.

• mining misinformation
• mining - broken promises

BHP Billiton Annual General Meeting

Of particular interest is the following accusations of BHP Billition by its own shareholders of the companies activities and policies - mining misinformation:

• its environmental record in the Philippines, Indonesia, Guatemala and Colombia.
• its failure to listen to complaints.
• its failure to answer many detailed questions with anything more than vague generalities.
• its failure to admit that consultation processes in many countries are affected by corruption and intimidation.
• its blank denial, without evidence, of informed and well-documented criticism.
• its failure to endorse the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
• its role in worsening climate change
• its activities in producing a radioactive legacy for future generations

Longwall Mining links

Georges River Macarthur

General longwall mining

• longwall mining process - damage, cause and effects
• backstow - mining subsidence - backstow reduces surface damage, our politicians don't legislate for it
• Cataract river - Cataract river during the seventies
• Georges river dyeing - Georges river greatly reduced water levels
• Iluka Creek - Iluka Swamp - Iluka Creek, Iluka Swamp, Georges River catchment
• Macarthur's rivers - Bargo, Georges, Cataract rivers - Broughton Pass Dam, Marhnyes Hole, Appin
• Mine subsidence - mine subsidence in the Upper Nepean river catchment
• Georges River photographs - photographs of 7 km downstream of Freres Crossing
• Stokes Creek Wedderburn - Stokes Creek, Wedderburn, Georges River, Campbelltown
• Wedderburn - Wedderburn's rivers, creeks and properties
• Wedderburn gorge - Wedderburn gorge, Georges River catchment, environmental damage
• Woolwash - The Woolwash junction with O'Hares creek Wedderburn - Minto
• O'Hares - Iluka - Georges River, O'Hares Creek, Dharawal State Recreation Area, Iluka Creek, Iluka Swamp, Maddens Creek.
• O'Hares - Wedderburn - Georges River, O'Hares Creek, Campbelltown, Wedderburn.
• Dharawal State Recreation Area - Georges River, O'Hares Creek, Darkes Forest.
• Georges River runs dry - is it too late? - The Woolwash & Georges River

• gr_appin_cataract.html - Upstream of Kings Falls Appin in the Georges River upper catchment
• gr_punchbowl_kentlyn - Punchbowl Creek at the Basin Georges River NSW
• broken promises - longwall mining - deceit, denial and broken promises
• Cost clean coal - Clean coal, is it too costly to consider
• Longwall Mining - Global Climate Change, letter to Kevin Rudd, Prime minister Australia
• The hidden costs of clean coal - The environmental and human disaster of longwall mining - Multimedia from The Center for Public Integrity Washington DC. Video filmed in the mine and the effects above ground.
• BHP Billiton environmental damage - BHP Billiton, Fly river, Ok Tedi river, copper mines, Irian Jaya, Barrow Island, deforestation Indonesia, environmental damage, longwall mining
• BHP Billiton misinformation - BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal - Rio Tinto misinformation and the publics wrong impression of mining
• Politicians and approvals - These politicians approve longwall mining licence's which pollutes our atmosphere, damages our rivers, water catchments and your homes
• Mine subsidence - longwall mining and its impact on water resources
• When longwall mining comes to your town - When longwall mining comes to your town, your home is in the hands of the mining company- from the US and applies here in Australia
• BHP Bulli Coal Seam 3 March 2010_5.97MB
• BHP Bulli Coal Seam Dept Planning NSW March 2010 photographs_5.83MB

We decided to see for ourselves - Georges River Macarthur longwall mining research project

Macarthur Bushwalkers is a non funded, no fees bushwalking group with an interest in the environment and a passion for the areas we walk in. One of those areas is our own Georges River, a river very much underrated by those who do not know it. It is also a river whose water levels have dropped considerably since the early 80's to the point where we are now seeing little water particularly during the wet season as previously reported on this page.

In the past the mining industry has in the past blamed drought conditions for this reduction in the water levels of our rivers.

Aware of the opposition to mining by many Green groups throughout NSW, we decided to check out BHP Billiton Illawarra Coals claims of - "misinformation, lack of understanding, not having a balanced view" and so on by those groups and BHP Billiton.

Our project started in January 2009. Our goal was to establish monitoring locations throughout the Georges River catchment. Our intention was to use these locations to photograph the river throughout the seasons including times of drought and constant rain. We felt that it would benefit the community to have a record of the river as global warming continues.

Misinformation - people are getting the wrong impression

BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal have said in the past that a balanced argument should be presented when analysing the effects of longwall mining on local water catchment areas.

1. "there's a lot of misinformation being put out in the community, which is giving people, potentially, the wrong impression".
2. "People aren't getting a balanced view. They're not understanding what decisions are being made by mining companies around their environmental responsibilities."

Mr. John Brannon - General Manager of Sustainable Development and External Affairs BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal

Mr Brannon is inferring that the mining companies are being unfairly treated - see page BHP misinformation.

The following You Tube links take you to Pennsylvania where the people are experiencing exactly what people in NSW are facing in the Southern Coalfields and other areas of NSW. Learn from them.

• Longwall mining in Ohio - you tube
• Subsided Ground - Fallen Dreams
• Subsided Ground - Fallen Dreams part 2

We are currently making enquiries to investigate the possibility of a class action against the NSW labour party or individual ministers who sanction damage to our property and environment, it is time they were held accountable. There are sufficient people in the community who have bad experiences from dealing with the mining industry.

1. BHP Billiton say they are not responsible for the catchments loss of water - we know the water flow started to reduce after the commencement of longwall mining in the early 80's.
2. BHP Billiton illawarra Coal have formulated strategies to protect endangered species of flora and fauna - we ask how can they when the water flow is almost gone as this website proves
3. The mining industry say that water passing through cracked river beds will appear downstream - we have found NO evidence of this throughout the whole catchments and after 20 years of more of mining in the area.
4. The mining industry say they are monitoring the affects of mining on our catchments and rivers - we say we have seen NO sign of human activity throughout our 16 months of monitoring the Woronora Catchments.
5. BHP Billiton say that they will not damage or mine under O' Hares Creek - we say it is already damaged because we see water flow ONLY after rain in both tributaries, it is not necessary to mine under the tributary to caused further environmental damage.
6. BHP Billiton wish to mine adjacent to O'Hares Creek over 17 kilometers, they will mine close to the Woronora River and Cataract Rivers - we say they CANNOT guarantee not causing damage to the Sydney water supply therefore their project should be denied.
7. We chose to monitor the Georges River because of the huge catchment area which is SHARED with other rivers may also be affected.
8. We have identified water flowing into Maddons Creek near Darkes Forest and been UNABLE to find water flowing at Wedderburn some 25 km or more downstream even though it should increase as it picks up from the swamps on its journey.
9. After photographically recording George River tributaries over 16 months we say that the onus must be placed at the door of the mining industry to prove they will not destroy our catchments.
10. BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal will mine under many catchment swamps. Rock beds cracked as a result of longwall mining will dry them out, they will be susceptible to bush fire which totally destroys the dry swamp. Other vegetation then becomes dominant, takes over with permanent loss of the swamp.

The issues created by the NSW Government over the last 16 years which include failure of health systems, under funding of hospitals, road development, poor rail services, toll ways etc pale into insignificance compared to the crime of systematically and knowingly destroying a communities (Sydney, Wollongong and Sutherland Shire) water supply.

We accuse NSW Labour Governments over the past 16 years of knowingly authorising the mining industry to systematically destroy aboriginal sacred sites, rivers and water supplies, community and private infrastructure in the pursuit of money from coal to the detriment of the people of Sydney and the state of NSW.

Film footage of longwall mining

Visit The hidden costs of clean coal - The environmental and human disaster of longwall mining - Multimedia from The Center for Public Integrity Washington DC. Video filmed within the mine then on the surface. .PDF Hidden disasters of longwall mining

Waratah Rivulet - When the Rivers Run Dry - Total Environment Centre - Sydney Water System - Another longwall mining casualty.

Mining Advocacy Network