Greens MP Cate Faehrmann said the fine showed why mining has no place in Sydney's drinking water catchment:

"The scale of this undertaking speaks to the impact that this mining is having on water resources in Sydney's drinking catchment."

"Investigations like these just go to show how vigilant we have to be in ensuring mining companies are acting in accordance with the law and responsibilities under their approvals."

"Illawarra Coal's application for a surface water licence must be rejected, especially considering that we're entering into a period of El Nino and likely associated drought conditions."

Story by Kate McIlwain in the Illawarra Mercury, 12 July 2023.