By local impact filmmaker James O'Connor

The short film Coal Creek has now been officially released.

There were two live screenings recently, at the Servo in Port Kembla and at Hazelhurst in Gymea. The film played to full theatres, with a mix of interested locals, politicians and citizen scientists attending. Speakers included the Greens' Sue Higginson (MLC); water scientist Ian Wright, an associate professor at Western Sydney University; original Royal National Park ranger Robert (Bob) Crombie; and Sutherland Shire Environment Centre board member Cooper Riach, as well as a Q&A panel.

Since the live screenings, the film has launched online and has more than 500 views already. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and the film is already being used as an education aid.

This film completes my coal mining trilogy, which began with The People Against Russell Vale Mine and Mining The Blue Mountains.