The Association of Mining Related Councils (AMRC) has called for a pre-election commitment on mining impact analysis from the Coalition and Labor. It has made in-person requests for an urgent inquiry into mining impacts, to 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.

inquiry called for.. and Association of Mining Related Councils Chair, Cr. Peter Shinton is waiting for a response from the Coalition and Labor.

AMRC CEO Don Tydd explained that areas of concern common to mining affected local government areas in NSW were discussed. “With the revenue that the NSW Government collects through mining exploration licenses and royalties, AMRC member councils feel that the State has the resources and the responsibility to better assist councils,” he said.

The Association Chair, Mayor of Warrumbungle Shire Council, Cr Peter Shinton commended Wollongong Lord Mayor and AMRC delegate, Cr. Gordon Bradbury for his comprehensive demands, put to both sides of government at the last AMRC meeting.

“A review into the socio-economic impacts of mining and exploration, from coal to coal seam gas must be undertaken as a matter of urgency, by an independent expert or a panel with appropriate expertise. This inquiry should draw on the experience of local government areas already affected by mining, to better equip them and the NSW Government for socio-economic assessments, into the future,” said Cr. Shinton. “It is time that NSW saw more than reactionary policies and data presented to validate policy positions.”

“Our request to both parties stated that the scope of an inquiry should comprehensively identify the full range of mining and gas extraction socio-economic impacts on local government in NSW. Existing sources (and shortfalls) of funding available to councils to address infrastructure and service needs should be outlined. It would identify what tools and opportunities councils possess or should have to manage the challenges they face as a result of mining; these include regional demographic, equity and political issues, infrastructure costs and priorities.”

“As part of being a pro-active resource for the future, this inquiry must identify what tools and opportunities councils have to contend with the triple bottom line impacts of mine closures. The focus is often on environmental rehabilitation but a mine closure has social impacts and also leaves a very big hole in a local economy.”

Shadow Minister Mick Veitch and Minister Anthony Roberts, made consecutive presentations to the AMRC at the Association’s recent meeting.

“The Association asserts that there needs to be a review of the delineation between State and Local Government jurisdictions in terms of the charges, planning, infrastructure and associated issues connected to the management of mining. The inquiry should also review the future viability and use of approaches currently available to councils to regulate, manage and tax mining related activities and to fund infrastructure and service delivery, such as Resources for Regions, Conditions of Consent and Section 94 contributions,” continued Cr. Shinton. “We would expect such an inquiry to deliver new regulatory mechanisms or legislative change and identify new funding avenues for mining related councils, as a result of this line of investigation.”

Mr Tydd said that delegates from the Association’s 23 member councils from across NSW appreciated the Minister and Shadow Minister taking the time to address their recent meeting but now hope to see some real commitments before and after the election regarding this proposed inquiry.”

Download Media Release – NSW Mining affected councils demand inquiry (pdf)