The Association of Mining Related Councils (AMRC) has heard the latest in NSW Government approaches to mining, particularly Coal Seam Gas (CSG). Council delegates were addressed, in-person, by the NSW Land and Water Commissioner, Jock Laurie; Bronwen O’Dwyer from the recently established NSW Office of CSG; the Director of Environmental Sustainability and Mineral Resources NSW, Stephen Barry and Richard Neville from the NSW Office of Water. Grass-roots consultation, environmental concerns and conditions compliance policing by the Government were key areas of discussion.

NSW Land and Water Commissioner, Jock Laurie, with AMRC Chair (& Wollondilly Mayor) Cr Col Mitchell and Executive Officer, Don Tydd.

Association delegates expressed concerns from their respective communities regarding compliance with mining conditions. They were advised that the NSW Government will soon have a number of compliance officers (in various departments), policing adherence to mining conditions and regulations across the State, with a recruitment process now underway.

The mining affected council representatives were told that compliance officers will be out on the ground, providing ‘best-practice’ information, in addition to checking that CSG drilling operations and within the legislation and not in breach of any laws or conditions of consent.

The AMRC delegates found the NSW Government departmental leaders receptive to the issues they raised and the insights that they provided.

NSW Land and Water Commissioner, Jock Laurie; Richard Neville from the NSW Office of Water; Bronwen O’Dwyer from the NSW Office of CSG and Stephen Barry, Director of Environmental Sustainability and Mineral Resources NSW.

Association of Mining Related Councils Chair (and Wollondilly Mayor), Col Mitchell explained the CSG frustration in local government. “CSG decisions have been made at a State Government level, without much, if any, engagement with the local council. Yet, our councils are seen as the responsible, representative body by their communities, particularly in regards to development approvals.”

“Talk of consultation with local councils and communities regarding CSG is too late but as the saying goes, ‘it’s better late than never’,” he said. “It is great to see the NSW Government start to make genuine attempts to consult with communities; to understand and possibly address their concerns but the horse has already bolted. In Wollondilly Shire and other local government areas in the AMRC, neither the NSW Government nor the CSG companies have consulted with communities and councils adequately to date.”

“I recently chaired a community meeting with 300 attendees. All they wanted was information. They weren’t radical protesters, just residents seeking the facts – that’s happening throughout regional NSW.”

The impact of CSG on water is a concern in many NSW Local Government areas. AMRC delegates were told of the data available through the NSW Office of Water, which can entail records or live monitoring of water levels. “Hearing from these NSW Government officials was a welcomed opportunity by members of the Association of Mining Related Councils. I was a mutually beneficial exchange and I hope we can meet again in the near future,” Cr. Mitchell said.

Media Release 2013-06-06 – Mining related councils get latest on CSG (pdf)

For further information, contact AMRC Executive Officer, Don Tydd: 02 6775 3844 or 0418 681 320.