UN to discuss Central Coast health

The United Nations is examining toxins and their effect on the health of communities and the environment and recently called for submissions from Australia, which has prompted a submission from Future Sooner on the Central Coast.

7 June 2023

 

GLARY BLASCHKE from Future Sooner said that they have the UN Special Rapporteur to meet with them to discuss the damage emissions from coal-fired power stations and their ash dams are having on the health of the people living on the Central Coast

 

“The Central Coast has one major industry – coal fired power stations,” Mr Blaschke said.

 

“We have medical evidence that proves that the Central Coast has an abnormal number of lung diseases and cancers. 1.

 

“This includes children as young as three years old with brain tumours and teenagers with spinal tumours. Wyong Hospital is getting $6.4 million to expand the Cancer Day Care Unit for a projected increase of further cancer cases throughout the region. 2.

 

“We have witnessed unprecedented fish kills in Lake Macquarie and water toxicity so high that residents are advised not to eat the fish. 3.

 

“There is evidence that shows that there is an apparent trend of lower NAPLAN results the closer a school is to a power station. 4.

 

“We have presented this evidence to our local MPs and representatives of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). So far nothing.”

 

The Coal Ash Inquiry findings of March 2021 (Report 4) were unanimous with 16 recommendations.  How many of these have been implemented? None.

 

It appears that the NSW government and the EPA do not consider that the health of its citizens living on the Central Coast important enough to take action against coal-fired power stations and their emissions. Nor do they think it important to create an environment where residents can breathe clean air and enjoy the benefits of unpolluted water.

 

“Well let’s see what the UN thinks,” said Gary Blaschke.

 

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics, “At Risk Populations”, Torrens University Cancer Cluster Report
   https:/absstats.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=bacd58f73b554c329f431ceb02ef9ab8
   
   
2. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/can/177/cancer-statistics-for-small-geographic-areas/data Wyong hospital gets $6.4million for new cancer unit
   
   
3. NSW EPA Mannering Park Lake Macquarie fish kills
   
   
4. https://www.edworkingpapers.com/sites/default/files/Duque_Gilraine_2020.pdf. For everyone million megawatt hours of coal fired power production decreases student performance in schools within ten kilometres by 0.02σ [undisputed US evidence-based data] Local NAPLAN results are consistent with US data: Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College Berkeley Vale Campus: 540.8 (Rank 18), Wadalba Community School: 528.6 (Rank 26), Northlakes High School: 516 (Rank 29), Lake Munmorah High School: 504.3 (last rank 30)