Hundreds of people started a week-long walk through Sydney’s western suburbs on February 21 to highlight the risk coal seam gas poses to drinking water.
Beginning at Cataract Dam the route will continue for 160 kilometres through Camden, Campbelltown, Liverpool, Fairfield, Prospect, Parramatta, Auburn, Ryde and Gladesville before finishing at Parliament House in Sydney.
More than 10 community groups came together to organise the walk, including the Western Sydney Environment Network, Stop CSG Macarthur, Parramatta Climate Action Network and the Nature Conservation Council of NSW.
Organisers of the walk said in a statement: “We need to protect Sydney’s water for future generations. In the lead up to the NSW state election, we want watertight assurance from party candidates that they will end the dangers to Sydney’s water quality, quantity and affordability.
“Underground coal mining is cracking the tributaries of Cataract Dam and other reservoirs south of Sydney. Coal seam gas fracking has already come too close to houses and water infrastructure.
“We are also concerned that Sydney Catchment Authority – the authority on water quality - is being abolished and the government is further commercialising water provision. Our water supply is a public good and must be governed to ensure the public interest is honoured.”
The walk will finish on February 28 with a rally at parliament house. For more information, visit walk 4 water.
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