STOP THE T4: Dr John Kaye with Greens mayoral candidate Jan Davis. Picture by STUART SCOTT 170812SS038
The Greens have continued the fight against the controversial T4 coal-loader despite the announcement of a two-year delay in June.
MP John Kaye visited Maitland on Friday where he challenged the state government to reject the construction the fourth coal loader at the Port of Newcastle because of evidence that coal operations were harmful to residents’ health.
Mr Kaye referred to Australian Medical Journal which in 2011 linked coal mining and processing to increased incidents of heart, respiratory and kidney disease.
“The annual health costs of burning coal alone are an estimated $2.6 billion,” he said.
“The new T4 coal loader will further drive demand for bigger, more polluting coal operations in the Hunter and exacerbate the community health problems.”
Port Waratah Coal Services chief executive Hennie Du Plooy announced the delay of the coal loader in June.
Arguments for the coal loader which were fuelled largely by coal companies, suggested the loader was needed to meet export demands.
The Coal Terminal Action Group has released a report titled Sick of Coal – Community attitudes towards the proposed fourth coal loading terminal at Newcastle, which will be presented at a public forum tomorrow.