The Nature Conservation Council of NSW is calling on a thorough investigation into an alleged manipulation of a health report that downplayed the serious health impacts associated with uncovered coal trains passing through Newcastle.
The ‘Particulate Emissions from Coal Trains’ had most of the 18 conclusions drawn, changed in the final Australian Rail Track Corporation report. With three cases in the early draft conclusions being exactly opposite than those appearing in the final report.
One example stated that loaded coal trains were associated with unhealthy dust levels, whilst the final report stated they were not.
The Greens have joined the NCC in claims the report had been altered. More HERE
However the ARTC refutes claims the report was doctored, stating that, “At no time did ARTC request any changes to the data or statistical analysis”.
The ARTC underline both the draft and final report concluded that, “Loaded coal trains operating on the Hunter Valley rail network, when measured at Metford, did not have a statistically stronger association with elevated particulate matter concentrations than other trains.”
NCC CEO Pepe Clarke said the final report is extremely misleading.
“Residents living along the coal supply chain in the Hunter Valley deserve to know the truth about the impact the industry is having on their health and the health of their children,” he said.
“On the face of it, there appears to have been collusion between the NSW Environment Protection Authority and the Australian Rail Track Corporation, to facilitate large-scale industrial development at the cost of local communities’ health.
“If this is the case, the changes to the report constitute a serious breach of the public’s trust”.
Mr Clarke said the Hunter Valley was experiencing an air pollution crisis as a consequence of the unrestrained expansion of coal mining and a sharp increase in the number of coal trains passing through the Hunter Valley and the suburbs of Newcastle.
Just last week the Council criticised the state government following the resurrection of the Wallarah 2 coal mine near Wyong on the Central Coast. The mine was previously rejected in 2011 following environmental and ecological concerns.
NBN tried to contact the NCC for comment, but has not received a response.
The report published on May 24 can be found HERE
How dare the ARTC treat the people of the Hunter in this way. We have a right to know what is going into the air that we & our children are breathing.
Thankfully groups like Nature Conservation Council & the Coal Terminal Action Group are around to help get the truth out.
At least we have one political party who stands up against the multinationals, the Government Departments that protect them & the old parties who just pander to what ever the coal companies want. Lucky The Greens have the courage & the integrity to stand up to them.
Thank you all for caring about our health
Hi Cathy,
The ARTC has released the report. The link can be found at the bottom of the page.
Web Team
Georgina,
Can you still obtain a copy of the original “flawed” report? I am doing a university assessment on this topic of coal train emission and the legal effects of not doing anything and this report would be of great advantage to see one side of the debate regarding the coal trains.
Personally I would like the trains covered up and I would like the coal trains to cease at 12 midnight till 4am each day due to the fact it is not only the dust but the noise that keeps you awake at night. I do not live right on top of the train line but closer to the New England Highway and I can still here the trains all night.
If Mascot locals can demand peace in the early hours of the morning for aircraft why can’t a country town do the same.