No new coal in Russell Vale!

Last night Paola spoke to a 'meet the candidates' forum organised by Illawarra Residents for Responsible Mining (IRRM), in Russell Vale.

Gujurat NRE, owner of No. 1 Colliery in Russell Vale, wants to expand the colliery's current output by 7.5 times — from 400,000 tonnes a year to 3 million tonnes. Under the plan, 176,500 truck movements will take place each year through suburban areas, IRRM says. Local residents raised concerns about a rise in noise and air pollution from mine operations and trucking.

Paola strongly backed all of the IRRM's demands and promised Socialist Alliance support for the campaign in the future. For Paola's full speech to the meeting visit: http://paolaharveyforkeira.blogspot.com/2010/03/paolas-speech-to-illawarra-residents.html

For more information on IRRM's campaign check out this article: http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/46679