'Premature deaths': Citizens' inquiry into coal-fired power station health impacts

Future Sooner protesters at Vales Point Power Station. Main picture by Jonathan Carroll.

Lake Macquarie residents will join doctors, lawyers and engineers to highlight the health impacts of coal-fired power stations this weekend.

A citizens' inquiry, featuring an eight person expert panel, will provide an opportunity for people living in the vicinity of power stations to speak about their health concerns.

"Future Sooner has collected a substantial body of evidence that indicates a strong causal link between coal pollution and many health conditions including cancers and respiratory disease," panel chair and local GP Ian Charlton said.

"Many residents of the Central Coast and Lake Macquarie may not even realise their health conditions are related to air pollution from Vales Point or Eraring power stations and their ash dumps."

Back row from left: Associate Professor Gill Boehringer, Gary Blaschke (witness), Wolf Messtlhaler, Dr Ian Charlton, Dr Merlene Thrift. Front row from left: De Newton and Sonya McKay

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights Marcos Orellana met with Lake Macquarie residents and community groups during a visit to Australia in 2023.

Mr Orellana's report tabled at the UN Human Rights Council General Assembly noted a 'acute toxic challenges' facing Australia including the 'toxic impacts of coal mines and coal-fired power plants' posing 'serious threats to the environment and to the health of affected communities'.

"The Rapporteur's report goes on to state that 'communities have paid the price with premature deaths, terminal illnesses, asthma and other health problems' and that those same communities 'continue to be exposed to unsafe levels of air pollutants and toxics from coal mining and coal-fired power stations'," Dr Charlton said.

The panel includes former Dean of the Macquarie School of Law at Macquarie University Gill Boehringer.

Professor Boehringer, who was most recently a panellist on a citizens' inquiry into the Health of the Barka/Darling River, said the role of the inquiry was to deal with the violation of human rights and environmental rights.

"Citizens' inquiries have the capacity to make governments and industries take action," he said.

The panel will also include retired GP specialising in acute and chronic issues Dr Merlene Thrift; Associate Professor Ian Wright of the University of Western Sydney; a senior consulting engineer at Newcastle University DrThomas Bunn; a GP with a PhD in epidemiology Dr Ben Ewald; a retired doctor with a PhD in sociology and a full-time environmental activist Associate Professor Ian Sinclair; and Energy Transition Campaigner for Healthy Futures Bronwyn McDonald.

The panel's report will be handed to the NSW Government, the NSW Environmental Protection Authority, the United Nations and the World Health Organisation.

The inquiry will be held from 1pm-5pm on Sunday, August 25, at Halekulani Bowling Club, Budgewoi.

Those unable to attend can email submissions at: futuresoonernsw@gmail.com