Captains Flat Mine Pollution — History, Impact and Solution

A Century of Neglect

These pages are dedicated to the late Alan Walker, former Deputy Mayor of the Yarrowlumla Shire Council. Alan Walker was also a Councilor, resident and activist for Captains Flat NSW, 5 kilometres south east of Canberra, Australia's National Capital.

These pages will bear his witness to education, enlightenment and hope for the future. The chronic pollution from the derelict Lake George Mine on the banks of the Molonglo River can be healed.

It needs noting that the NSW government has been derelict in its obligation to address the effects of the land and water pollution caused by the Lake George Mine since 1909. In May 2002 the Ballallaba Action Group launched a campaign to establish the Molonglo and Lake Burley Griffin Catchment Management Authority to secure better land and water management for the Molonglo River Catchment.

In writing to the Premier of NSW and the chief Minister of the ACT, Ballallaba has sought to bring to their attention the "Seat of Government Acceptance Act: 1909" Under this act, the NSW government is obliged to "protect from pollution the waters of the Molonglo and Queanbeyan Rivers"

The pollution that NSW has allowed and continues to allow, is a direct violation of this act of Parliament (see legal issues page) It needs noting that Councilor Walker was in the process of initiating court action against the state for breeches of its own and commonwealth laws. Unfortunately Councilor died before he could initiate his legal proceedings.

After a century of neglect by successive State, Federal and Local Governments, Ballallaba, a small community group has found a way to turn neglect into hope. With support from these three levels of government, self reliant community groups can now process the polluted waste water and eliminate its environmental degradation.

The benefits of the Ballallaba Bio Filter will be far reaching Bio Filtration is environmentally friendly, ecologically sustainable and will empower community participation in the treatment of pollution. The empowerment of community action should facilitate community employment in the growing industry of Bio Filtration.