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.
Updates
POWA one of 35 groups to endorse “Emergency Climate Action: No more coal and gas; 43% carbon emissions cut by 2030 is not enough” rally in Sydney today
From Green Left Weekly: Climate activists from 35 grassroots groups came together for a march on August 7 to send a strong message to the Anthony Albanese Labor government that its recently legislated 43% cut to emissions by 2030 target is not enough to avert catastrophic climate change. Climate scientists say Australia should set a … Continue reading POWA one of 35 groups to endorse “Emergency Climate Action: No more coal and gas; 43% carbon emissions cut by 2030 is not enough” rally in Sydney today
Illawarra Mercury: $15k fine for Helensburgh mine’s water pollution ‘not enough’ for environment
Environmentalists say a $15,000 fine handed to coal miner Peabody in June for polluting a creek that leads into the Royal National Park is inadequate, and won’t protect the waterways as potential habitat for reintroduced platypus. The penalty from the Environment Protection Authority was given to Peabody after its failure to properly maintain a dam … Continue reading Illawarra Mercury: $15k fine for Helensburgh mine’s water pollution ‘not enough’ for environment
Pressure on NSW Planning Minister in Dendrobium Extension process
“NSW Planning Minister Anthony Roberts has confirmed the economic case for a controversial mine extension will be reviewed, amid calls for greater transparency in the assessment process… Former NSW Supreme Court judge Anthony Whealy SC believed the emails exchanged between the Department of Planning and South32 had affected the public’s perception of the assessment process. “I have … Continue reading Pressure on NSW Planning Minister in Dendrobium Extension process
POWA rally outside Wollongong DPIE office, calling on Planning Minister to reject Dendrobium Extension
Illawarra Mercury article WIN News Illawarra story
Watch: Reasons we object to the Dendrobium Mine Expansion
In this webinar we talk about the 20 year Dendrobium expansion plan’s impacts. This video includes short presentations on the impacts on koalas, your water catchment, our climate, Aboriginal cultural heritage and the economy. On June 14th, submissions to the Department of Planning close on South32’s Dendrobium Mine Expansion. This is a unique red-carpet process … Continue reading Watch: Reasons we object to the Dendrobium Mine Expansion
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WOLLONGONG COAL HAVE RESTARTED WORK AT THEIR CONTROVERSIAL RUSSELL VALE MINE
JOIN THE COMMUNITY DIRECT ACTION CAMPAIGN TO STOP WORK
WWW.STOPRUSSELLVALEMINE.ORG
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 2022
Protect Our Water Alliance 