Air pollution caused by the mines surrounding a Hunter Valley village sometimes exceeds safe guidelines, potentially causing health risks, an independent review commissioned by the NSW government has found.
But the government maintained that the review into air particles, noise and drinking water impacts in the tiny village of Camberwell showed that pollution was generally within safe limits and there was no cause for public concern.
Planning Minister Tony Kelly said the government would launch more studies to assess the impact of mining on health, and more closely scrutinise future mining proposals.
‘‘The government is taking action now, for the first time, to take a co-ordinated approach to a mining strategy,’’ he said.
Mr Kelly said a Cabinet sub-committee containing five ministers would look at the cumulative effects of mining in NSW.
He would also meet with Camberwell residents.
‘‘The idea is to give certainty to the communities as well as the mining companies,’’ he said.
The review, a series of reports undertaken by environmental consultants, found high levels of dust particles at times when mining was taking place around Camberwell, and said these ‘‘suspended particulate concentrations’’ could be expected to grow more intense if current mining expansion proposals were approved.
‘‘Given the controlling influence of local coalmining emissions on suspended particulate concentrations, changes in mining activities are indicative of potential changes in future air quality within Camberwell,’’ the report found.
It found that dust levels peaked above safe guidelines in Camberwell, but when averaged out over a year, fell below the minimum considered to pose a risk.
Noise levels caused by explosions and mining trucks were high, but fell below agreed limits in most cases, and there was no evidence that lead from mines had infiltrated the drinking water supply at dangerous levels.
The state’s chief health 0fficer, Kerry Chant, said the health effects of air pollution was an ‘‘emerging area’’, and she had established an expert panel to advise her.
‘‘Particulate pollution does impact on health,’’ Dr Chant said. ‘‘We don’t walk away from that. It can cause exacerbations of asthma. ‘‘It can lead to cardiovascular disease. Air pollution does cause health impacts.’’
The NSW Minerals Council said it welcomed the Cabinet sub-committee and the review’s findings.
‘‘Given that the mining projects are likely to expand ... we need to look at the cumulative impacts of mining,’’ said the council’s chief executive Nikki Williams.
‘‘If the mining industry continues to expand, then in some areas it may no longer comply – individual mines may but cumulately it may not comply.
‘‘Therefore it is important to look at ... new standards, potentially, to ensure you do protect the health of communities where we work.’’
Camberwell, 12kilometres north of Singleton, is ‘‘surrounded by mining operations’’, in the words of the report.
To the north are the Ashton, Glendell, Ravensworth East and Mount Owen mines, to the south is Rix’s Creek mine, to the west are Narama, Ravensworth West and Cumnock mines, and east are mines at Camberwell and Glennies Creek.
The village has 56 houses, most of which have been bought out by the mining industry.
The NSW Greens said Camberwell had been ‘‘ravaged’’ by mining. ‘‘One of the air quality reports show ultra-fine particulates, what scientists claim as the new asbestos, exceed national goals,’’ Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon said. SMH
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