Dr Ian Charlton, who will Chair the citizens inquiry into the impact of power stations on public health

24 July 2024

 

THE Citizens Inquiry panel will look specifically into the health impacts from Vales Point and Eraring coal-fired power stations and will examine and report on the evidence from personal submissions and the stories from residents who appear on the day.

 

“Future Sooner has collected a substantial body of evidence that indicates a strong causal link between coal pollution and many health conditions including cancers and respiratory disease,” said Dr Ian Charlton GP and Panel Chair.

 

“Many residents of the Central Coast and Lake Macquarie may not even realise their health conditions are related to air pollution from Vales Point or Eraring power stations and their ash dumps.

 

“The Citizens Inquiry is an opportunity for the people to speak up about their, and their family’s health concerns.”

 

Honorary Professor Gill Boehringer and former Dean of the Macquarie School of Law, Macquarie University who has had decades on global and national Tribunals and Inquiries said, “The role of a Citizens Inquiry is to deal with serious issues, mainly the violation of human rights and environmental rights.

 

“Another purpose is consciousness raising - getting the information out to the public because, in so many cases, nothing will be done until the people themselves mobilise and do something to force attention to the problem.

 

“Citizens Inquiries have the capacity to make governments and industries take action.”

 

The Future Sooner Citizens Inquiry gives the people of the Central Coast & Lake Macquarie a voice to tell their story about the health issues they are facing. The Panel’s report will be handed to the NSW government, the NSW Environmental Protection Authority, the United Nations and the World Health Organisation.

 

Members of the panel are:

 

• Dr Ian Charlton Chair - Assoc Professor, M.D, M.B.B.S, M.R.C.G.P. Local GP, Research Fellow in General Practice, has a MD in Asthma Management;

 

• Dr Merlene Thrift - Retired GP specialising in acute and chronic issues and nutritional and environmental medicine. Received a Fellowship in Nutritional and Environmental Health;

 

• Honorary Professor Gill Boehringer - Former Dean of the Macquarie School of Law, Macquarie University. Recently part of the Citizens’ Inquiry into the Health of the Barka/Darling River and Menindee Lakes;

 

• Associate Professor Ian Wright - University of Western Sydney. Lectures in water science and management, environmental planning and environmental regulation at Western Sydney University's School of Science;

 

• Dr Thomas Bunn - Senior Consulting Engineer, TUNRA Bulk Solids, Research and innovation Division, Newcastle University. Worked as a mechanical engineer in power stations for 60 years;

 

• Dr Ben Ewald: GP - holds a PHD in epidemiology and is a member of Doctors for the Environment;

 

• Associate Professor Ian Sinclair - Retired doctor. Worked in public health. PHD in Sociology. Full time environmental activist. Interested social and equity dimensions and political issues; and

 

• Bronwyn McDonald - Energy Transition Campaigner for Healthy Futures. Focussing on protecting public health.

 

Citizens Inquiry: Sunday 25 August 2024, 1pm-5pm at Halekulani Bowling Club Budgewoi. Enquiries: Gary Blaschke OAM, Future Sooner spokesperson on 0424 890 455 or email futuresoonernsw@gmail.com.

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