Background information on the Coal Dust and Health Campaign
– What is our Coal Dust and Health Campaign trying to achieve?
– Why are we concerned about coal dust levels in Newcastle and the Hunter?
– How can you help the campaign?
What is our Coal Dust and Health Campaign trying to achieve?
The community-led Coal Dust and Health Campaign is intended to provide the community with independent information and advice upon which to consider the T4 proposal and other port development projects. Among other activities, this includes identifying and commissioning additional studies to adequately assess existing fine dust pollution sources and levels in the Lower Hunter and the associated health impacts, researching best-practice measures to mitigate particle pollution levels and identifying further necessary studies and advocating for their funding.
Why are we concerned about coal dust levels in Newcastle and the Hunter?
Community groups in Newcastle and the Hunter are concerned about the dust pollution and diesel exhaust emissions associated with coal transport and handling because of the impacts of coal dust on health. This is especially the case in residential areas adjacent to the rail corridor and coal loading facilities. Dust and air quality concerns were raised in many of the 500+ submissions relating to the proposed PWCS fourth coal-loading terminal (T4) and were a key concern mentioned by Newcastle residents in a survey of 580 households in Newcastle suburbs. Furthermore, monitoring of particle pollution in twelve locations throughout Newcastle and the Lower Hunter discovered that particle pollution levels regularly exceed the National Standard. You can read the results of the study in the ‘Coal Dust in Our Suburbs’ report, or in the two-page summary. Community members perceive that current levels of dust generated by coal transport and handling are already causing significant and adverse health impacts. These impacts will double if coal exports double, which is currently the intention of the coal industry and the NSW Government. The health effects of both PM10 and PM2.5 include cardiovascular disease, hospital admissions, emergency department attendances, asthma, heart disease, congestive heart failure and mortality.
How can you help the campaign?
NSW Environment Minister Robyn Parker recently announced that she supports a detailed study into the sources and composition of particulate pollution in the Lower Hunter. We need to make sure that the NSW Government honour this commitment. Moreover, we need to make sure that the NSW Government suspends the planning process of the proposed fourth coal terminal (T4) and any other coal infrastructure whilst this study is being conducted. You can help by writing a letter to the Health Minister Jillian Skinner, the Environment Minister Robyn Parker and the Planning Minister Brad Hazzard and the Premier Barry O’Farrell to say that Newcastle and the Lower Hunter need these studies completed before any decision can be made about T4 or other coal projects.