What comes after coal?

THE Illawarra Greens will host a public forum next week on alternative energy sources to replace coal.

The Illawarra: Beyond Coal forum has a distinguished line-up of speakers, including Greens MP Lee Rhiannon who said the shift from coal was a major issue for the region.

“We are keen to make our case to ensure Australia remains competitive in the low carbon economy of the future,” she said.

Speaker Graham Brown, a retired coal miner turned environmental activist, said coal contributed only 2 per cent to the NSW economy and politicians were in the grip of the coal mafia.

“I’ve watched an industry that could work with everything change to destroying everything,” he said. “It’s starting to eat into our food and drinking capacity and we have to do something.”

Organiser Rowan Huxtable said the forum was the first in a series to discuss political, economic and environmental concerns about coal and climate change and to put forward ideas for change.

“The Illawarra has a long coal mining tradition but coal mining causes problems that we can’t ignore,” he said. “Coal mining is one of the biggest reasons for climate change.”

He said the aim of the forum was to get the discussion happening.

“It’s not a simple issue,” Mr Huxtable said. “There’s the question about transition and what’s the right policy for the coal industry.

“It’s an ongoing issue for the Greens and one that has to be addressed. We can’t just ignore the issue and carry on as normal.”

Another speaker is Trent Brown, an organiser of the next climate camp to be held at the Helensburgh mine from October 9-11.

The camp is a response to both the climate crisis and the decision by the NSW Government to expand the Metropolitan Colliery.

“The Metropolitan Mine should not be allowed to expand,” Mr Brown said.

“Subsidence from the mine has already resulted in the pollution of watercourses that supply Sydney and the Illawarra with drinking water.”

The forum will be held at the Aboriginal Centre, 22 Kenny Street, Wollongong, from 6.30-9pm on September 16. Admission is free.