Productive meeting with mining councils, talk on infrastructure and funding

The NSW Minerals Council has called for the expansion of the NSW Government’s Resources for Regions program at a meeting of the Association of Mining Related Councils in West Wyalong.

 

NSW Minerals Council CEO, Stephen Galilee met with local government leaders from mining regions across NSW last week to discuss a range of issues including the latest research on the regional economic contribution of mining, securing more NSW government infrastructure funding, and approaches to VPA negotiations between mining companies and local councils.

 

The Association of Mining Related Councils is made up of 22 local councils that meet regularly to discuss issues of mutual concern and interest. The NSW Minerals Council has a good relationship with the Association and the two organisations work closely together on common issues, including securing more NSW Government funding for mining regions.

 

“Some mining communities are currently not eligible to apply for funding as they do not fall under the program’s limited criteria of being ‘mining affected’,” Mr Galilee said.

 

“It doesn’t make sense that places like Cessnock, Maitland and Lake Macquarie can’t apply for funding. There are actually more mining employees living in the Maitland local government area than in the Muswellbrook local government area, yet Maitland isn’t eligible.”

 

“We’ve worked hard to develop good relationships with local councils from mining regions and we share many common areas of concern. While we don’t always agree, we’ve been able to work together to secure funding for mining regions through the Resources for Regions program, and I am hopeful that this program will be expanded soon so more mining region councils can participate.”

 

Voluntary Planning Agreements were also discussed at the meeting. They’re formed between councils and resources companies to help manage the impacts of mining developments and fund local infrastructure managed by local government.

 

The CEO of the Association of Mining Related Councils CEO, Don Tydd is calling for a “uniform” measure across the state regarding these agreements, which have previously been considered on a case-by-case basis historically.

 

“Voluntary Planning Agreements are among the principal documents signed by local councils and mining companies. We’re tabling a summary of all such agreements published since 2006, to see if we can get some uniformity or benchmarks,” said Mr Tydd.
 

“The State Government, through the Department of Planning, is taking an interest in these agreements and the Association of Mining Related Councils wants to be at the table when the NSW Government’s draft guidelines are being discussed.”

 

The meeting was held at West Wyalong, an historic gold town in the state’s central west, with a proud history of mining that continues through production at Barrick’s Lake Cowal Gold mine 40 km outside town. The group also toured the mine as part of their visit.