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
Have your say: make a submission opposing The Dendrobium Mine Extension Project (SSI-33143123)
Submissions close 14th June 2022 – have your say here Our recommendation is that you write a short, unique submission which explains why you oppose this project. To help you, we have created this submission guide. You may choose to include some (or all) of the points below depending on your personal views about this … Continue reading Have your say: make a submission opposing The Dendrobium Mine Extension Project (SSI-33143123)
JOIN US: Don’t sell out to coal, Minister Roberts!
Friday 3rd June 8:30am Department of Planning and Environment, 84 Crown Street, Wollongong Minister for Planning and Homes, Anthony Roberts, now has the final say on the Dendrobium Mine Expansion. On Friday June 3rd at 8:30am we’ll be at his Department’s local office doors. Never before in NSW has a coal mine been given this … Continue reading JOIN US: Don’t sell out to coal, Minister Roberts!
WATCH POWATalks #3 – What does sustainable water infrastructure look like? With Prof Stuart Khan
Dr Stuart Khan responds to the question: what does sustainable water infrastructure look like in this, the final talk in POWATalks Autumn series on May 17th, 2022. Stay tuned for the interesting Q&A with the audience too. Dr Stuart Khan is a Professor at the School of Civil & Environmental Engineering at UNSW. His research … Continue reading WATCH POWATalks #3 – What does sustainable water infrastructure look like? With Prof Stuart Khan
WATCH POWATalks #2 – Creatures of the Catchment with Dr Ian Wright and Tom Kristensen
In this presentation from May 4th, 2022, Tom Kristensen and Dr Ian Wright (Western Sydney Uni) bring us up close with the endangered koalas and invertebrates who inhabit Sydney-Illawarra’s Special Areas (our water catchment). They show us why these species are threatened by current mining.
POWATalks #2 and #3
POWAtalks #2 is coming up on May 4th at 7pm, via Zoom! This time we’ll be learning about some fascinating creatures of the Greater Sydney Water Catchment from Dr Ian Wright and Tom Kristensen. Ian is a science communicator, researcher and senior lecturer in Western Sydney University’s School of Science. His research interests include freshwater … Continue reading POWATalks #2 and #3
Wongawilli MOD2 approved by DPIE, condemned by locals
MEDIA RELEASE 19 April 2022 Wollongong, New South Wales — Protect Our Water Alliance condemns the latest approval for coal mining expansions within the Greater Sydney Water Catchment. Wollongong Coal’s Wongawilli Colliery has received NSW Government approval to build its North West Mains Development – a 7km long underground road beneath Avon Reservoir. Avon Dam … Continue reading Wongawilli MOD2 approved by DPIE, condemned by locals
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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 2022
Protect Our Water Alliance 