Endangered: The Scientific Committee has declared upland swamps in the Woronora plateau are an endangered ecological community. Picture: John Veage
THE Scientific Committee's decision to list the coastal upland swamps of the Sydney basin as an endangered ecological community has prompted renewed calls for the state government to do more to protect the Woronora catchment from mining.
The committee is made up of scientists appointed by the Environment Minister. It posted notification of the listing on its website on Friday.
The majority of upland swamps are concentrated in the water catchment areas of the Woronora plateau. Some are in the vicinity of longwall mining sites as well as areas slated for exploratory coal seam gas mines.
The Scientific Committee's report says both types of mining are a threat to the swamps.
Northern Illawarra Sustainability Alliance spokesman Peter Turner said it was time the state government did more to protect the catchment.
"These swamps are too important to allow any further risk-taking," Mr Turner said.
St George and Sutherland Shire Leader
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