Hundreds of people passionate about saving the picturesque Bylong Valley and its water resources are set for a special performance by country music stars Sara and Greg Storer.
The gig will be held in Bylong to help the local farming community, who are under threat from multinational mining giant Kepco.
KEPCO has plans to build a damaging new coal mine in the valley which, if approved, would ravage high quality farmland and drain underground water aquifers in a previously unmined rural valley adjacent to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
The combined open cut and underground mine would produce 6.5 million tonnes of thermal coal for the export market, and would create more than five times the carbon emissions than the now scrapped Rocky Hill mine, which was rejected in the Land and Environment Court in February in part due to the greenhouse gases it would produce.
Bylong sheep farmer, Phill Kennedy said, “This valley is gorgeous and so productive. It would be a crime to ruin it with a dangerous coal mine, putting water resources and the Bylong River under strain.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming the Storers and hundreds of people from across NSW to Bylong and showing them why this valley is too precious to plunder for coal.”
Greg Storer said, "Farming is hard work and a gamble a lot of the time, so why the powers that be want to make the odds even longer for people on the land and in our farming communities by jeopardising our precious water resources is baffling.
“Hope to see you all in the beautiful Bylong Valley on the 7th of July. Save the Bylong Valley Food Bowl."
The Bylong coal mine is currently being assessed by the NSW Independent Planning Commission, and a decision could be made at any time.
Where: Bylong campground (opposite the Bylong General Store)
What: An open-air concert in the centre of Bylong featuring Sara and Greg Storer, plus tours and information about the agriculture, beauty and heritage of the Bylong Valley. The concert will feature performances by 21-time Golden Guitar and ARIA award winner Sara Storer and her brother Greg.
When: 7 July - concert starts 1pm
Why: The Bylong Valley is a beautiful and productive agricultural district threatened by plans for a new open cut and underground coal mine. Local landholders have been fighting to protect the precious groundwater of the Bylong River and a decision on the mine by the Independent Planning Commission is imminent.