The recent meeting of the Association of Mining Related Councils (AMRC) in Sydney, heard from both, the Minister for Resources and Energy, the Hon. Anthony Roberts and Shadow Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services; Regional and Rural Affairs, and Western NSW, the Hon. Mick Veitch MLC.

Singing from the same Hymn Sheet?… Association of Mining Related Councils Chair, Cr. Peter Shinton, flanked by Minister for Resources and Energy, the Hon. Anthony Roberts and the Hon. Mick Veitch MLC, who has a range of rural and regional portfolios in the Shadow Ministry.

The Association Chair, Mayor of Warrumbungle Shire Council, Cr Peter Shinton applauded both sides of Government for coming to speak and listen to the representatives of mining affected communities across NSW. “It is important that the Government hears first-hand, the challenges that local councils face as a result of mining and that we provide input into policy development.”

The AMRC has campaigned for a Royalties for Regions scheme, where mining impacted communities would see a percentage of the mining royalties which go into State Government coffers. In recent years, the NSW Government has promoted its Resources for Regions program as an appropriate way of giving back. The AMRC has raised concerns that despite limited council eligibility and specific funding application criteria, the State Government has used Resources for Regions to fund infrastructure which is (ordinarily) the responsibility of the Government, instead of providing additional benefits to communities enduring mining impacts. The $6.5mil Muswellbrook Hospital Emergency Department upgrade was cited as an example by Cessnock City Councillor Jeff Maybury.
“There doesn’t seem to be any model for allocating Resources for Regions funding to councils. As mining royalties do not fund this program, it appears to be at the Government’s discretion,” Association Chair Peter Shinton said.

In response, the Minister said “I would have thought any local council would be happy to see millions of dollars in funding going into their hospital.”

Mr Roberts detailed how the Baird Government plans to spend an extra $23 million to improve water mapping and monitoring towards addressing community concerns about aquifer and groundwater impacts of mining. The NSW Office of Water will use the funds, to be spent over the next five years, to install a further 70 groundwater monitoring bores in priority areas such as the Gloucester, Gunnedah and Clarence Morton basins. Live data will be published online. He vowed to taken the Association’s concerns on board.

Mr Veitch has met with the Association of 23 councils a number of times over the past four years. “I appreciate a robust conversation with mining related councils about what we, as politicians, can do better,” he said.

“The Resources for Regions policy in NSW was poorly implemented and administered. A number of councils have expected to receive funding and have yet to see any at all. It was put clearly to the Minister that this Association is not very happy with this program. The sentiment of the Association was that Resources for Regions is being used to build infrastructure that should be funded through the State capital Works program. Health or roads capital works examples were provided.”

Asked if Labor had a better model to offer, Mr Veitch said that with the approaching election, all policy announcements would be made by Opposition Leader Luke Foley.
Chair Peter Shinton said the meeting truly facilitated the Association’s role for its member councils. “From funding for mining affected communities and mining rating issues, to mine site rehabilitation and environmental impacts, a broad spectrum of issues were discussed – with a NSW Minister and a Shadow Minister. We consist of 23 member councils across NSW, representing well over 20 percent of the land in NSW and close to 11 percent of the population. We contribute significantly to the State’s economy and the Government’s revenue, through mining royalties. We deserve to see a better deal for our communities. United, we are being heard,” he said.

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