Lake Macquarie residents will join doctors, lawyers and engineers to highlight the health impacts of coal-fired power stations this weekend. Login or signup to continue reading 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." 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 coa.