IN A CASE of unfortunate timing for the government, a Sydney exhibition will celebrate the Liverpool Plains as the election approaches.
The importance of the Liverpool Plains as a food bowl for NSW will be highlighted in an exhibition coming to Sydney in March, at the same time as voters might potentially protest at the ballot box against the approval of a coal mine in the area.
"Majestic Food Plains… A Land Biography" is opening at the National Trust Centre in Sydney on March 27, the night before the NSW State election.
Dr Robbie van Hemert said the exhibition to connect us all to food through art and education.
"I believe that food source matters, that all Australians share the responsibility for our food bowls, and that connecting with a place is fundamental to caring for it," Dr van Hemert said.
The exhibition will include artwork as well as scientific information about geological formations, aquifers and the soil of the Liverpool Plains, and will seek to teach city-folk about where their food comes from.
“Research for the project was collated by working closely with environmental scientists, farmers and rural communities. This enabled me to understand why the Liverpool Plains is such a significant food producing resource and gave me the information required to highlight one of Australia’s prime food producing regions," Dr van Hemert said.
Yesterday, however, the Planning and Assessment Commission (PAC), granted final approval to the controversial Watermark coal project at Breeza, leading to widespread anger on the Liverpool Plains about the threat of mining to agriculture in the region.
Dr van Hemert said she was not an authority on the impacts of mining, but warned the fragility of the Liverpool Plains eco-system meant it needed extra care.
"It has taken over 400 million years for it to form into the food bowl it is. It is obviously very fragile."
President of NSW Farmers, Fiona Simson, is assisting with the exhibition, and was in no doubt the Liverpool Plains needed to be protected from mining.
“The commission clearly stated the blacksoil of the Liverpool Plains needs protection from mining," Ms Simson said.
“This mine is the wrong mine in the wrong place and we urge the government to honour its promise that it will protect the Liverpool Plains."
Independent Tamworth candidate Peter Draper said he expected the decision to approve the Shenhua mine to have a major effect on the vote in electorates surrounding the Liverpool Plains.