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Mining companies deliver $16 million to over 900 NSW community groups in 2013
Over 900 local community groups across the state directly benefited from over $16 million in voluntary contributions from mining companies in NSW over the last financial year.
“Most NSW mining workers live, raise a family and get involved in the local communities near where mining takes place. Mining operations and their employees are part of their local communities and support the local footy and netball teams, the Mens Sheds, the school carnivals and the local health charities and support groups,” NSW Minerals Council CEO, Stephen Galilee, said today.
The research shows that community groups in the Hunter received the largest contribution with $8.1 million in contributions to 449 local community groups over the last financial year.
This was followed by the Central West with $2 million in contributions to 269 community groups, the Northern region with $1.7 million in contributions to 75 community groups, and the Illawarra with $1.4 million in contributions to 61 local community groups.
The new figures form part of the full release of the NSW Minerals Council’s detailed economic survey of its members conducted by Lawrence Consulting and peer reviewed by the Centre for Small Business and Regional Research at the University of Wollongong.
The survey shows that NSW mining delivered direct spending of around $12.8 billion on wages, goods, services and community contributions in NSW over the 2012-13 financial year.
“This survey provides a clear picture of the benefits of mining beyond the mining sector, not just in mining regions, but also in Sydney and right across the state,” Mr Galilee said.
“Regional NSW receives most of mining spending, but Sydney is also receiving the economic benefits. Around $3.2 billion or one quarter of all NSW mining spending happened in Sydney last financial year with $1.7 billion alone spent in Western Sydney.”
“The future strength of the NSW economy requires policies that support responsible development of our industry so the sector can continue to deliver wages and business spending in mining regions, in the suburbs of Sydney and right across NSW.”
“It’s vital that in 2014 governments at all levels get the policy balance right and support the responsible development of mining in NSW,” Mr Galilee said.
The full report is available here.
Contact
: Chris Rath –
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