Greens want investigation into dry lakes

[creampie]

The New South Wales Greens are calling for an investigation into dwindling water levels at the Thirlmere Lakes near Picton, saying something is terribly wrong.

The Greens M-L-C and mining spokeswoman Cate Faehrmann met with Council representatives and campaigners at the world heritage listed site on Wednesday.

Ms Faehrmann says the State Government needs to investigate whether a nearby longwall mine is causing cracking to happen, leading to the loss of water.

She says locals have told her that the lakes are fed by surface run-off and aquifers, but have failed to fill in recent rainfalls despite the drought being over since 2008.

"For it to be dry after so much rain is of extreme concern not only to the locals but the wider community because these lakes are world heritage listed", she said.

"The Greens are supporting calls by the local community to have an independent investigation into what is causing these lakes to dry up

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010 ... 037322.htm