COAL MINING IN CAMBERWELL, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW: Camberwell’s Fight 

Camberwell is a village in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia which is surround by six coal mines. Coal mining began in the Hunter Valley in the early 1800s. Today, the Hunter Valley is home to 22 open cut coalmines, 17 underground mines and five power plants that burn coal for fuel. Approximately 145 million tons of coal is produced every year with much of the coal shipped to Asia for electricity generation.
Residents of the Hunter Valley are subject to noise, dust, and emissions of fine particles from mining and burning coal that contaminate air. Community members have also voiced concerns over the global warming impacts of coal mining and use of coal for power in the valley and beyond. The Hunter Valley is responsible for the largest share of carbon dioxide emissions in Australia. http://www.ipsnews.net/2015/03/coal-burning-up-australias-future/; http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/feb/23/nsw-urged-ban-new-coal-mines-hunter-valley
In recent years, community opposition to existing coal mines and to the expansion of this industry in the Hunter Valley has arisen in Camberwell and other towns due to concerns about noise, quality of life, human health effects, and the contribution of coal to climate change.
This timeline is focused on the community response to open cut mines in and around Camberwell and highlights some of the successes community residents have had in fighting plans to expand mining in this area.

CHRONOLOGY:

2001
White Mining comes to the village, proposes new mine next to the village of Camberwell. Promises of land purchases are made if the mine is approved, under confidential agreements.
White Mining begins correspondence and meetings with Camberwell Common Trust (responsible for land held in trust for the community to share) about the town’s shared land (Common) in the proposed mine area.
2002
Agreement reached with Camberwell Common Trust and White Mining on a land swap agreement in relation to the Town Common.
Meeting of residents and White Mining over the proposal for a new open cut mine within 500 meters of village homes. Many residents objected by submitting comments to the New South Wales Department of Planning. Due to promise of jobs and members of the community wanting to sell because of a depressed market, the mine was approved with no appeal.
2003
Agreement for a land swap between White Mining and the trustees of the Camberwell Common Trust signed. Twenty-four acres of the Town Common’s 224 acres are part of the land swap agreement with the mining company.
2004
Mining begins 500 meters from the village. A community member describes it as “hell on earth.” The once quiet village is now subject to noise from blasting and dust from mining operations.
Department of Environment fines the company $1500 for a blast exceedence.
Community starts to keep record of all complaints (Ashton Coal Diaries) as concern builds over the impacts.
Another blast exceedence causes fly rock to land two hundred meters from homes. The incident was also discussed in the New South Wales Parliament.
2005
Newcastle Herald aunches its King Coal series investigating the coal mining boom in the Hunter Valley http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2258034/editorial-new-look-at-king-coal/
Noise, dust and blasting continues in Camberwell. Resident protests by sitting on a rock on the town common to stop a blast. Blasts cause orange plumes and dust to cover the village. Concerns about health effects in children increase, including allergies and asthma.
2006
New South Wales Department of Health and the Minerals Council releases a fact sheet: Mine Dust and You. http://www.australiancoalalliance.com/Information/mine_dust.pdf
2007
Residents complain about the color and taste of water collected in rainwater collection tanks, which is the only source of water for residents. Residents get own water tested due to gastric complains and taste issues.
First Flush systems installed in all homes.
2008
Laboratory results on the water samples taken from rainwater collection tanks become available
Newcastle Herald publishes the article “Cocktail of pollution” discussing the water sampling results http://www.theherald.com.au/story/483563/cocktail-of-pollution/
Ashton Coal starts exploration on the southern side of the village for another open cut mine within
500 meters of the village.
Singleton Shire Healthy Environment Group is formed to advocate for resident concerns for the environment and human health (Camberwell is a part of Singleton Shire). The group is made up of doctors, farmers, residents, and an electrical tradesperson.
2009
New South Wales Health Department writes letter to the New South Wales Department of Planning about the cumulative impacts of coal mining and complaints related to drinking water.
2009
Blast exceedance at Ashton mine covers the village in dust.
The Singleton Shire Healthy Environment Group surveys chemists on asthma inhalers purchased in the Singleton district. The report is sent to the Minister of Health with a request for a health study in the Singleton district.
2010
Australian Broadcasting Corporation airs “A Dirty Business,” produced by Peter Cronau which features Camberwell village as a part of the program http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/special_eds/20100412/dirt/
Lands Minister Tony Kelly leases the rest of the Camberwell Common to Ashton Coal for $400.
Community members fight the lease and eventually win back their Commons. http://www.theherald.com.au/story/1747724/opinion-persistent-villagers-win-case-of-principle/
Upper Hunter Valley air quality monitoring network starts to measure PM10 and PM2.5, also gives health alerts for air quality exceedences.
2011
Public meeting is held to discuss the proposal for a new mine on the south side of Camberwell. The public is given 5 to 10 minutes to argue a case against the mine approval. The NSW Department of Health and the Office of Water object to the approval.
The mine is not approved but Ashton Coal appeals. NSW Health is still opposed but the Office of Water drops its opposition.
2012
The new mine is approved.
Community residents raise questions and later lodge complaints about government’s dealings with the mine owners. http://www.australianmining.com.au/news/courttoldunfavourablecoalmineadvicesnubbed
2013
Report on air quality in Hunter Valley published. In 2012 45 days exceeded PM10 air quality standard. Twenty-two such exceedances are measured in Camberwell. https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/aqms/20130037HunterAir2012.pdf
PM2.5 study of the Upper Hunter Valley published. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/aqms/UHFPCSFinal.pdf
2014
Ashton cannot start mining on the south side of Camberwell because Wendy Bowman, an 80-year old resident holds out and will not sell her land.
http://caha.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/CAHA.CaseStudy.Camberwell.pdf
2015
The new mine in Camberwell will not go ahead as planned because the court upholds Wendy Bowman’s right not to sell her land.
http://www.theherald.com.au/story/3507468/court-stops-hunter-valley-mine-in-its-trac