About POWA
Protect Our Water Alliance was formed in early 2019 in response to the ongoing mining beneath Sydney’s water catchment.
Located on unceded Dharawal Country in Wollongong, POWA is affiliated with grassroots groups and environmental organisations across the Illawarra, Southern Highlands, and Greater Sydney regions.
POWA is calling for a total ban on mining in our water catchment.
Damage to the Catchment
The Greater Sydney Water Catchment supplies 5 million people with clean drinking water.
The four active coal mines that dig beneath the catchment cause irreversible damage to creeks, rivers, and endangered upland swamps. This not only reduces the quality and quantity of water we need to drink, but ruins critical ecosystems and cultural heritage sites.
What is longwall mining?
Longwall mining is a method used by the mines within our water catchment. It is highly destructive, causing issues such as subsidence and surface-to-seam fracturing.
POWA has made an explanatory video about longwall mining – watch it here.
WOLLONGONG COAL HAVE RESTARTED WORK AT THEIR CONTROVERSIAL RUSSELL VALE MINE
JOIN THE COMMUNITY DIRECT ACTION CAMPAIGN TO STOP WORK
WWW.STOPRUSSELLVALEMINE.ORG
Updates
Update and explainer: Dendrobium SSI process, what you can do, and upcoming POWA community information night
This is an update to POWA supporters and allies about the latest developments around the Dendrobium extension project and how to intervene in the planning process to protect our water and environment. As part of our response to South32’s new extension plan, POWA will be holding a public forum on January 20. We encourage you … Continue reading Update and explainer: Dendrobium SSI process, what you can do, and upcoming POWA community information night
What do we know about the new Dendrobium Mine Extension proposal?
Information is taken from South32’s Scoping Report on the DPIE Major Projects website South32 is seeking to extend into “Area 5” — the plan to mine “Area 6” has been abandoned The proposal seeks to extend the life of the mine until 2041 (previously 2048) South32 have redesigned the proposal to try and address concerns … Continue reading What do we know about the new Dendrobium Mine Extension proposal?
Media release: Community group condemns reclassification of Dendrobium Mine expansion as State Significant Infrastructure
Wollongong, New South Wales — Community group Protect Our Water Alliance is outraged at the NSW Planning Minister’s decision to grant South32’s Dendrobium Mine extension State Significant Infrastructure status. This backflip on the government’s own processes is unprecedented. It comes after the proposed 25 year expansion was rejected by the Independent Planning Commission in February, … Continue reading Media release: Community group condemns reclassification of Dendrobium Mine expansion as State Significant Infrastructure
Dendrobium Mine Expansion given ‘State Significant Infrastructure’ status by NSW Govt
Following rejection of the South32 Dendrobium Mine Extension proposal by the Independent Planning Commission in February 2021, the NSW Government has granted the proposal State Significant Infrastructure (SSI) status. This effectively overrules its own independent planning approvals processes. SSI status means that the Planning Minister will have the final say in approving or rejecting the … Continue reading Dendrobium Mine Expansion given ‘State Significant Infrastructure’ status by NSW Govt
Join us for the COP26 Global Day of Action
POWA will be joining other local community groups for two actions this Saturday November 6: 9am community picket at the entrance of the Russell Vale Mine, corner of Princes Hwy and Bellambi Lane 2. 1pm Wollongong Rally, IPAC, Burelli Street
Protestors outnumber Wollongong Coal execs 4 to 1 at AGM
Watch the awkwardly empty room beat their chests in this story from WIN News
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POWA recognises that the traditional owners of the regions spanning Sydney’s water catchment have never ceded sovereignty of their lands and waters.
Protect Our Water Alliance 2021
Protect Our Water Alliance 