New South Wales Minister for Lands and Water, Anoulack Chanthivong, has come under fire for refusing to address questions regarding his department's involvement in a mine water pollution incident in the Newcastle region. The controversy centres on allegations that the Department of Planning and Environment failed to adequately regulate a coal mine that discharged polluted water into local waterways.
Ministerial Silence Draws Criticism
During a press conference on Thursday, Mr. Chanthivong repeatedly sidestepped queries about whether his agency had been negligent in overseeing the mine's environmental compliance. When pressed by journalists, the minister stated that he would not comment on operational matters and referred all questions to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
Opposition spokesperson for the environment, James Griffin, accused the minister of hiding behind bureaucratic processes. “The community deserves answers about how this pollution occurred and what the government knew,” Mr. Griffin said. “Minister Chanthivong’s silence is deeply concerning.”
Details of the Pollution Incident
The pollution event, which occurred earlier this month, involved the release of sediment-laden water from the Mandalong coal mine into nearby Dora Creek. Local residents reported discoloured water and fish kills, prompting an investigation by the EPA. Preliminary findings suggest that the mine’s water treatment system may have been overwhelmed after heavy rainfall.
The EPA has issued a clean-up notice to the mine operator, Centennial Coal, requiring them to remediate the affected area. However, questions remain about whether the Department of Planning and Environment had conducted sufficient inspections prior to the incident.
Government Response
A spokesperson for the Department of Planning and Environment stated that the agency takes its regulatory responsibilities seriously and is cooperating fully with the EPA investigation. They noted that routine inspections had been carried out at the mine, but declined to comment on specific compliance issues while the investigation is ongoing.
Mr. Chanthivong’s office released a brief statement reiterating that the EPA is the lead agency for pollution incidents and that the minister has full confidence in their work. The statement did not address the minister’s own role or the department’s oversight.
Calls for Accountability
Environmental groups have called for an independent inquiry into the incident. Dr. Sarah McCaffrey of the Hunter Community Environment Centre said, “This is not the first time we’ve seen failures in regulating coal mines. The minister needs to explain what went wrong and what changes will be made to prevent future incidents.”
The incident has also reignited debate about the state’s coal mining regulations and the adequacy of penalties for environmental breaches. Under current laws, companies can face fines of up to $5 million for pollution offences, but critics argue that enforcement is often lenient.
As the EPA investigation continues, the community awaits answers, and pressure mounts on Minister Chanthivong to break his silence.
