Garden of Stones NP

[sailfish]

Not sure where to ask this.
I received an email about a campaign against open cut mining in Garden of Stones. I don’t know any background on the proposed mining though, can anyone point me in the right direction please. Particularly interested in identifying the specific area of the proposed operation. There is a lot of state forest in the area containing magnificent pagodas, Lyre and bell birds etc. It should be protected. It is an area I often walk so this is of great concern but I have never heard of any further open cut proposal in the area before. Google didn’t turn up anything for me. Is this proposal for real?

Regards,
Ken

[johnw]

Not sure where to ask this.
I received an email about a campaign against open cut mining in Garden of Stones. I don’t know any background on the proposed mining though, can anyone point me in the right direction please. Particularly interested in identifying the specific area of the proposed operation. There is a lot of state forest in the area containing magnificent pagodas, Lyre and bell birds etc. It should be protected. It is an area I often walk so this is of great concern but I have never heard of any further open cut proposal in the area before. Google didn’t turn up anything for me. Is this proposal for real?

I recall receiving something or informally hearing about this recently but I don't remember the source, may have been via NPWS. Anyway, not sure if this helps but it looks like there's an event on Saturday week where you could find out more:

http://riverssos.org.au/2011/04/27/help-us-protect-the-gardens-of-stone/

There's limited information on that site. I haven't gone into the detail but looks like the campaign might be a joint effort between Rivers SOS, Blue Mountains Conservation Society and Colong Foundation for Wilderness.

Discovered more detailed information via this link:
http://www.colongwilderness.org.au/Gardens_of_Stone/GoS2_home.htm

I've done some walking and rogaining in the area and agree that it should be protected.

[sailfish]

Thanks for that John,

Still, I can find nothing on the said open cut mine proposal. I am wondering if that is perhaps a beat up for support and not an actual real and immediate threat. Also I have been leading a group of casual walkers in the area. Some have minor mobility issues so can’t walk far or do long steep assents or descents so access is an issue. If we can drive onto the plateau, we can do a few hours walking and visit some really spectacular country. I found some past concerns on the net about lockups and access in the area so I have some concern over just what I might be supporting here. I don’t want to support locking up wilderness to all by hard core walkers. It should be a public asset for all including the less physically capable. Mind you I think Blackfellows Hand Rock is too accessible. Huge trash problem and don’t get me started on the motor bike trails and damage to rocks etc . The Devil is in the detail.


Regards,
Ken

[DaveNoble]

This article has some information -

http://www.bluemountains.org.au/documen ... 4may11.pdf

Dave

[sailfish]

"Over 1088 hectares of public forest within this uniquely scenic and biodiverse area are now at risk of exclusive occupation and destruction by open cut coal mining. The open cut proposal is but 2km from the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area and is
home to many native birds, plants and animals. If approved, the open cut mining proposal would set a precedent that puts other areas of the Gardens of Stone at risk."

Yes, I saw this but where is the real evidence, submission, EIS, site map etc?


Regards,
Ken

[tom_brennan]

Probably this one...
http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.a ... ob_id=4332

It's definitely Coalpac (since that was in the BMCS letter), and these are the mines in the GoS area.

This also has some details on the drilling area
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets ... rogram.pdf

[sailfish]

Thanks Tom,

That 2nd link is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. If the posible future mining area is open cut, some people have no soul. Not surprised as I did work for a mining company at one time.


Regards,
Ken

[wildwalks]

An article on the recent protest
http://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au/ ... 66717.aspx

Matt