CITY of Coffs Harbour councillors have voted unanimously to co-sign a letter from Clarence Valley Council to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, requesting the prohibition of mineral exploration and mining in the Clarence drinking water catchment.
Councillor Tony Judge moved the motion to co-sign the letter, after the Clarence Valley Council requested support.
“I moved that new motion because the original recommendation from Coffs Council referenced the importance of protecting the catchment, but did not explicitly address the need to prohibit mining,” Cr Judge said.
“I believed we needed to make our opposition to mining in the Clarence catchment very clear.
“The safety of our drinking water is far too important for our community to accept the risks that come with mining in the catchment.
“I am both relieved and grateful that all Councillors agreed.”
Cr Judge pointed out that the Clarence catchment has very steep terrain and high rainfall and the combination of those factors drastically raises the risk of a spill of toxic material into drinking water catchments in times of high rainfall.
“One of the minerals for which a mining exploration licence has been granted is antimony, a mineral that is highly toxic even at low levels,” he said.
“Antimony contamination of our drinking water would be catastrophic, particularly as there is no way of removing it from water through treatment or filtration.”
There is also the possibility of contamination from lead, mercury and arsenic.
The Clarence Catchment Alliance (CCA) welcomed the decision and said it demonstrates responsible leadership and a clear understanding of the risks mineral mining poses to flood-prone, high-rainfall catchments across Northern NSW.
CCA Campaign Coordinator Shae Fleming said the move represents “a no-brainer” for regional resilience and long-term community wellbeing.
“We’re thrilled with Council’s unanimous decision,” she said.
“It’s a no-brainer – water catchments, especially those located in flood zones, should be completely off the mineral exploration and extraction map.”
Ms Fleming said the government is well aware of this community’s stance.
She said the CCA met with Ministers in NSW Parliament on 5 August to present evidence and policy based requests, and are still awaiting formal responses from both the Minister for Planning and the Minister for Natural Resources.
Cr Judge told News Of The Area, “The health of our community is far too important to take risks with mining in the Clarence catchment.
“There is nothing more important to our health than clean drinking water.
“I am very pleased that Council has taken such a strong stand.”
By Andrew VIVIAN
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