Coal news and updates

Survey shows public want coal trains covered

Environmentalists say 90 per cent of the Newcastle community wants coal train wagons and coal stockpiles covered to reduce dust pollution.

The results of a community-run survey assessing people's attitudes towards coal dust and Newcastle's controversial fourth coal terminal were released at the weekend.

The 'Dust Free Streets Project' was a door-to-door survey of residents in Tighes Hill, Islington, Mayfield, and Stockton.

Zane Alcorn from the Hunter Community Environment Centre says some locals were surprised to hear the proposed fourth coal loader is still on the agenda.

"We've doorknocked about 1270 people," he said.

"We found that 90 per cent want to see coal wagons covered and regularly washed, and they also want to see the coal stockpiles and all stages of unloading, loading to be completely enclosed to prevent dust pollution.

"We found that 63 per cent of people are opposed to T4."

Mr Alcorn says they will take the results of a community-run survey to the Planning Assessment Commission's hearings into Newcastle's controversial fourth coal loader.

"We're just waiting now for the Planning Assessment Commission to announce the hearings do decide whether or not T4 is going to be approved," he said.

"We'll be presenting the results of this survey at the PAC, when that happens.

"There's also a 'cover the wagons' petition that is will on the way to getting 10,000 signatures, and that will trigger a debate in New South Wales Parliament."

Source: www.abc.net.au