Report finds 'unrecognised' fracturing under Sydney, Illawarra drinking water catchment

A former WaterNSW hydrogeologist is recommending mining under the Woronora Reservoir be halted until the implications of new fracturing are reviewed. (Supplied: WaterNSW)

A former WaterNSW hydrogeologist has found rock beneath Woronora Reservoir south of Sydney is cracking in "unrecognised" ways because of continued coal mining.

In work commissioned by the Nature Conservation Council (NCC), Peter Dupen reviewed the environmental performance of Metropolitan Mine at Helensburgh against its planning approval.