Mr McIllwain says the report is so biased that is should be ignored (Bay Post, August 21).

Mr McIllwain’s call to ignore the council’s report is arrogant and contemptuous of the public.

Eurobodalla residents depend on water free from cyanide, lead, zinc, copper, arsenic and uranium.

While Mr McIllwain is “lost for words” that the Eurobodalla Council is putting the long-term interests of the community, animal population and business and local food production before the interests of Unity Mining and shareholders, many residents are “lost for words” at the prospect of cyanide seeping into their drinking water. 

Clearly Unity Mining’s priority is an “economically robust” project for corporate/shareholder profits, that can be achieved by on site processing of gold using cyanide, according to their statement to the ASX.

The mine has a poor track record in conducting its business accident free.

The NSW Land and Environment Court has fined Unity Mining three times within a six month period. 

Downstream residents were subject to polluted water which they had to dispose of and pumps damaged by grit leaving them to repeatedly quarantine their water supply. 

Moreover the cost to the future of endangered species and important biodiversity in conservation reserves, national parks and Batemans Marine Park is environmental vandalism. 

To risk contaminating Majors Creek, Araluen Creek, the Deua/Moruya River and Spring Creek, the source for domestic drinking water and local agriculture, is unconscionable. 

Maureen Searson

Batemans Bay