Hundreds gather to support mining in the Hunter

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Hundreds of people gathered in Newcastle today in a positive display of support for mining and the benefits it brings to the Hunter, including regional jobs, and opportunities for small businesses. 

Pictured: Miners from across NSW voicing their support for their jobs, and the benefits of mining to the people of NSW
 

“Mining enjoys strong community support in the Hunter, and there is widespread understanding of the importance of the industry to the region. Today’s event was a positive display of that public support from hundreds of people who rely on mining for their job or their business,” NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee said today.

 

Several hundred miners, their families, small business owners and workers gathered at Civic Park in Newcastle at midday to show their support for mining. 

 

Those attending the event were representative of the more than 11,000 people directly employed in mining in the Hunter, and the thousands more working in the more than 4,200 local mining supplier businesses across the region.

 

The event took place as NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes was in Newcastle to address a Hunter Business Chamber mining lunch on proposed changes to the NSW planning system.

 

“The Planning Minister is putting Hunter jobs at risk by rushing through rule changes that will remove the requirement for regional and statewide economic factors to be considered in the assessment of mining projects,” Mr Galilee said.

 

“This would mean the economic benefits mining brings to the Hunter region, including mining jobs and the opportunities for small businesses, would no longer be required to be considered when mining projects are assessed.”

 

“The planning system cannot be seen as fair and balanced unless these regional and statewide economic benefits remain an explicit factor in the planning assessment process.” 

 

“Today’s positive public display of support for mining sends a clear message that people across the Hunter recognise the economic benefits it brings to the region,” he said.

 

Contact: Nat Openshaw