THE future of mining in Port Stephens has emerged as the dominant issue in the lead-up to the March 28 State election.
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The Greens have thrown down the gauntlet to the major parties by announcing they will strenuously oppose two large-scale sand mining proposals at Bobs Farm and Williamtown.
While applications are still in their embryonic stages, the level of community interest has escalated with the formation of lobby groups in each area opposed to mining.
At Bobs Farm, Sydney-based Ammos Resource Limited plan to mine 10 million tonne of sand on a 40-hectare site, while in nearby Williamtown the Buildev-owned Castle Quarry Products (CQP) are proposing a 4.6 million tonne mine over 15 years.
While the proponents cite jobs and economic benefits to the community, objectors fear truck movements, threats to flora, fauna and water supply would prove devastating for local businesses and a school.
Greens mining spokesman Jeremy Buckingham visited the mining sites on Friday, declaring mining in Port Stephens as the party's priority issue for the upcoming election.
Mr Buckingham labelled the sand mining proposals as irresponsible and called on the NSW Government to listen to the concerns of the local communities.
"I have met with residents of Bobs Farm and Williamtown and it is clear that neither community wants to put up with the trucks, air and noise pollution.
"At Bobs Farm it is inappropriate to have a massive sand mine right next to a primary school, while the Williamtown mine has the potential to seriously damage the Tomago sandbeds, as well as cause significant air and noise pollution."
Rochelle Flood, Greens candidate for Port Stephens said it was time that Port Stephens stopped being treated as one huge sand mine.
"Existing sand mines already result in unacceptable risks from heavy truck movements on the narrow single carriageway stretch of Nelson Bay Road, and the two new proposals are the last straw.
"They are incompatible with protection of the local environment, water table and koala habitat, and will bring unacceptable health risks as well as further traffic danger."
Port Stephens' Labor candidate Kate Washington said she had concerns about the process that led to the contract being awarded to Castle Quarry Products.
"Before we even look at the problems with the proposed mine itself, it's worth looking at what led to the contract. I will ensure that our community has a voice and put a stop to developer interests prevailing over the interests of our community."
Spokesperson for the No Sand Mining in Bobs Farm group Shea Brunt said the sheer size of the mine would have serious impacts on agriculture, tourism and schools.
Meanwhile, more than 100 concerned residents attended a public meeting at Williamtown hall on Monday night, protesting against the sand mine proposal on council-owned land behind Cabbage Tree Road.
The meeting hosted by the Williamtown and Surrounds Residents Action Group (WSRAG) was attended by Port Stephens councillors Geoff Dingle and Peter Kafer, Ms Washington and NSW Greens councillor James Ryan. Port Stephens Liberal candidate Ken Jordan and CQP declined to attend.
Spokesman Cain Gorfine said that the attendance clearly demonstrated that CQP did not have a social licence to operate in the region.
"The community is concerned about a number of issues regarding the impacts of the sand mining on the region's water supply, impacts to the threatened koala population and potential health risks to the families living just metres away from the mine through silicosis."