If yes, you probably fell in love with the stunning sandstone rock formations known as 'pagodas' and the associated abundance of birds, plants and animals. If no, you have much to look forward to, provided it is not destroyed. This uniquely scenic and biodiverse area is currently threatened by exclusive open-cut coal mining and its destructive impacts on wildlife habitat and natural heritage. Coalpac Pty Ltd has proposed a ‘consolidation' project which seeks to extend open-cut and highwall mining into a large area of the publicly-owned Ben Bullen State Forest, NSW. Should this outrageous proposal be approved, the equivalent of 2,176 football fields of predominantly old growth forest (an irreplaceable carbon sink) and wildlife habitat will be clear-felled and laid waste so as to open-cut the underlying coal.

Gardens of Stone photo by Jaime Plaza van Roon click image to see a larger version

NOW is the time to Protect the iconic Gardens of Stone from irreversible destruction. YOUR help is needed.

What YOU can do!

All or any of the following will make a difference - politicians need to know that you care:

> Download and sign this letter to the NSW Premier and return it to BMCS.   Alternatively, you can complete this online form.

> Download and return this letter for presentation to your local Member of Parliament. To find who your local MP is, click here.

> If you belong to a suitable group, we would happily meet your management team to discuss making a presentation to your members or engaging the members through your databases in order to promote collective and/or individual action.

> Follow our news items, articles, events and activities to keep up to date with the campaign, and help to safeguard the long-term future of the Gardens of Stone through joining our mailing list by simply sending this email

> Contact Justin McKee for more information on 0404 824 020 or justin.mckee@ethicalintegration.com

> ‘Like’ us on Facebook: Blue Mountains Conservation Society

> Follow us on twitter: bmcsnsw

Photos:

Please look at these photos by Ian Brown, taken in the area under threat. Would you destroy this?

Discovery trips and events:

Enjoy yourself by participating in events aimed at protecting the Gardens of Stone. Watch this section of the website for upcoming events - or better still, join our mailing list by simply returning this email.

"Gardens of Stone discovery and campaign action event, Sat 14th May 2011" - Read an article on this great event.

Articles and Media Releases (including latest Campaign updates):

Read the latest items on the current threat to the Gardens of Stone by Coalpac Pty Ltd's "consolidation" proposal here.

• Halt the assault on Ben Bullen State Forest (21 February 2012)
• Coalpac following an age old formula (7 February 2012)
• Read Coalpac's December 2011 community newsletter (December 2011)
• Council must prioritise public meeting (19 December 2011)
• Gardens of Stone inspires winner of Fleurieu Art Prize (8 December 2011)
• Letter from Marie Bashir Governor of NSW (25 November 2011)
• Threatened Species Conservation Amendment (Ecological Consultants Accreditation Scheme) Bill 2011 (11 November 2011)
• Report calls for protection of iconic Gardens of Stone (22 November 2011)
• Society launches advertising campaign against open-cut (17 November 2011)
• Coal-fired injustices must be set straight (5 October 2011)
• Department says Coalpac's Environmental Assessment inadequate (9 September 2011)
• Society supports Council's decision on open-cut proposal (25 August 2011)
• Mining under valuable pagodas risky business (17 August 2011)
• Society welcomes discussion on legal framework for mining (30 June 2011)
• EDO Mining Law Reform Launch - Presentation by Bev Smiles, community representative (29 June 2011)
• Community concerns remain over Coalpac's consolidation proposal (21 June 2011)
• Read Coalpac's May 2011 community newsletter announcing changes to its 'Coalpac Consolidation Project' (May 2011) [NB. this is a 4.1MB download]
• New evidence amplifies concerns over Coalpac's consolidation project (31 May 2011)
• Keep us moving toward our goal to Protect the Gardens of Stone! (31 May 2011)
• Gardens of Stone event a huge success (19 May 2011)
• Protest calls for rejection of open cut mine proposal (14 May 2011)
• Environment groups take action to protect Gardens of Stone (13 May 2011)
• The case against the Coalpac coal-mining 'consolidation' project at Cullen Bullen, near Lithgow NSW (13 May 2011)
• Environment groups take action to protect Gardens of Stone (12 May 2011)
• Gardens of Stone under threat (28 April 2011)
• Battle lines drawn over proposed open-cut mine in the Gardens of Stone by Keith Muir
• Read Coalpac Pty Ltd's 'Coalpac Consolidation Project' Newsletter No. 1 October 2010 (Nov 2010) [NB. this is a 5.8MB download]

Media Images:

Very large images for media use can be found here.

Maps:

The open-cut and highwalls will collectively convert this heritage landscape and its attraction for tourists into a devastated wasteland extending to 2 kilometres northward and eastward from Cullen Bullen Village.

The perimeter of the open-cut areas will be about 40 kilometres.

In May 2011, Coalpac Pty Ltd announced changes to its 'Coalpac Consolidation Project' after a consultative process. Take a look at the map that contains these changes.

Take a look at the map of the 'Coalpac Consolidation Project' initially proposed in November 2010.

The Gardens of Stone is a stunning place to visit. We highly recommend visiting the area. Buy a map of the area here.

Gardens of Stone 2 reserve proposal:

The Blue Mountains Conservation Society, the Colong Foundation for Wilderness, and the Colo Committee were working to get 46,000 hectares of land reserved. Things were going pretty well until this application from Coalpac Pty Ltd came along.

To view a map of the proposed Garden Of Stone 2 Reserve click here.

To read more about this proposal and how it would protect the surrounding area, click here.

Reports & Submissions: