Miners may be allowed to pay to degrade swamps that supply Sydney's drinking water
The fragile upland swamps in the Sydney catchment help maintain the city's supply of drinking water, particularly in times of drought, by storing and purifying water.
Environmental scientist Ann Young, who has monitored the impact of mining in the area, said there were positive aspects of the New South Wales Government's proposed policy, but it did not go far enough to prevent environmental damage.