Majority in Muswellbrook support jobs and Drayton South approval

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Anglo-American’s Drayton South project should be approved and jobs should be the priority when assessing major projects according to the majority of respondents in a new survey of the Muswellbrook community.

 

New research conducted by ReachTel found that 72% of respondents in the Upper Hunter community of Muswellbrook said that jobs should be given ‘high’ or ‘highest’ priority when decisions about whether major projects like mines should be approved.

 

When specifically asked about Anglo American’s Drayton South project near Muswellbrook, 61% supported the approval of the project.

 

The research also found that a significant majority, nearly 78% of people surveyed, believed mining was ‘important’ or ‘very important’ for the Muswellbrook economy.  

 

“This research confirms strong support for mining in the Upper Hunter and demonstrates that  most people in Muswellbrook understand the direct relationship between mining and a strong local economy,” NSW Minerals Council CEO, Stephen Galilee said today.

 

“Support for Anglo American’s Drayton South project near Muswellbrook is also very strong, indicating a high level of community understanding of the importance of the project for the local economy,” Mr Galilee said.

 

“There has been a lot of support for this project and through the Voice for Mining network we’ve seen over 2,500 submissions made to the independent planning authority to have the project approved.”

 

“Overall, we’re seeing strong and steady support for mining in Muswellbrook, with 64% of respondents supporting mining compared to 22% opposed,” Mr Galilee said.

 

“This polling sends a clear message  that people in Muswellbrook want policies that support mining jobs and strengthen their local community,” he said.

 

The Reachtel survey was conducted across the Muswellbrook Local Government Area on 4 June, incorporating a representative sample of 422 local residents.

 

Contact: Nat Openshaw