The Namoi River lies in the Liverpool Plains rural district and is in Independent Tony Windsor’s federal seat of New England.
Windsor has supported the Caroona Coal Action Group’s resistance against the development of BHP Billiton’s Caroona Coal longwall project.
He has also taken shots at China Shenhua Energy’s Watermark project in the region.
The federal government has committed $A1.5 million dollars to the study and the mining industry has agreed to a staged contribution of $3 million.
The detailed hydrological studies in the Namoi Water Catchment area, scheduled for completion in March 2012, will use a 3-D model of the region’s underground water systems that can be adjusted as future information is discovered.
An independent website will also be established to keep the community informed of the study’s progress through regular updates and monthly reports.
Outgoing Minerals Minister Paul McLeay said the Keneally government was committed to a safe and environmentally responsible approach to the mining industry.
“The purpose of this 18-month water study is to put together quality data to assist in identifying the risks associated with coal and gas mining and development on water resources,” he said.
“This important appointment came out of a rigorous and thorough evaluation of tenders by an evaluation committee which was overseen, at all stages, by an independent probity auditor,” he said.
Country Labor Duty MLC for the Tamworth region, Christine Robertson, said that as part of this project, a detailed assessment of the potential impact of mining in the Liverpool Plains region would be undertaken.
“The Keneally government is providing the secretariat to the study and other vital administrative and in-kind support,” she said.
In mid-July, federal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson announced that $A15 million of federal funds would help support the 18-month Namoi water study in the Liverpool Plains of New South Wales.
The move was supported by the CCAG and Windsor, who have long lobbied for an independent water study.
The new study will look at the potential impact that coal mining and coal seam gas extraction could have on the region’s water resources.
The water study covers the surface and groundwater resources in the Liverpool Plains, including the Peel River and Mooki River, Maules Creek and Plan Creek.
The minerals industry has been working with key stakeholders including the NSW Farmers Association, the Irrigators Council of NSW and Regional Development Australia to ensure there is more information about water for the community and the resources and agricultural sectors.
NSW Minerals Council chief executive officer Nikki Williams said it was important that decisions about land use were made scientifically.
“We’ve been committed to this study for some time now because we recognise the benefits of having more information about water in this region,” Williams said.
“Members of the community in the Namoi catchment area have some very specific concerns about the water resource.
“Just like the community, we support the need for more data in the Namoi catchment to ensure that developments can be assessed against the facts on a case-by-case basis.
“That’s why resource companies with interests in the region have backed this study with $3 million in funding.
“The information generated by this study will add to the community’s existing knowledge and the extensive mapping and monitoring of underground aquifers already undertaken by mineral explorers.
“It is central to seeing the future prospects of the region by giving the community, government and industry a three-dimensional understanding of the landscape.
“We welcome the appointment of Schlumberger Water Services. As a member of the Ministerial Oversight Committee, the NSW Minerals Council will continue to support this study and will assist the independent expert right through to the completion of this important project.”
