Mining Exploration News

More than 250 people crammed into the Gloucester Shire Council chambers for a hastily called public meeting on December 22 after news of land purchases and the start of a drilling program by coal exploration licence holder Gloucester Resources.

Earlier that day councillors had also met to discuss these developments.

Gloucester Resources announced prior to Christmas it had purchased a number of properties in the area, covering 2,500 acres.

In response to these events a number of concerned residents contacted the mayor who arranged for Council to meet at 10am on December 22.

Residents asked the mayor if they could meet with Council to discuss the developments. A meeting was then scheduled to be held in the Council chambers at 5.30pm on that same day.

Through mostly word of mouth a total of 260 concerned residents attended the meeting that afternoon. At the meeting the following key points were raised:

1. Gloucester Resources (not Gloucester Coal) holds coal mining exploration licences to the west and north of Stratford Coal Mine and includes an area that skirts the Gloucester township to the west, south and east. Gloucester Resources has recently purchased land in the Shire including properties in Waukivory Rd, McKinleys Lane, Woods Rd and Fairbairns Lane;

2. On Wednesday December 17, 2008 Gloucester Council had unanimously voted to request an urgent meeting with the Ministers concerned regarding previous requests for the exploration licences surrounding Gloucester township to be revoked when they expire in 2009. Council will be lobbying the State Government and specific ministers to seek the removal of the 3 exploration licences currently held by Gloucester Resources;

3. Council stressed that it is not opposed currently to the operations of Gloucester Coal as they exist, and accepts the reality that Gloucester is a town with a mine, but does oppose the proposition of Gloucester becoming a “mining town”;

4. Council has passed a resolution that does not support further expansion of mining in the shire unless a number of stringent guidelines are met. These guidelines were read out by the mayor at the meeting;

5. The community needs to be the most active voice in this fight; Council will not be successful in their efforts without widespread community support and action;

6. A Steering Committee or Working Group should be formed from within the residents gathered; and

7. Issues confronting the community and a suggested plan of action need to be considered and presented back to the community in late January or early February.

Residents were asked to leave their contact details if they were concerned and wanted further involvement in these issues. The response was overwhelming with 175 contacts being lodged. Since the meeting many more people have informally provided their contact details and indicated their concern and desire to be kept informed. Most of these people would have been at the chambers and attended the meeting if they known about it or had more warning.

Since the meeting on December 22, a Working Group has formed and will be meeting this week to formalise the Working Group charter, structure, purpose and objectives. The Group will be communicating with all residents that provided their contact details over the next week.

The working group wants to ensure all the facts are available regarding this very major development and where residents and Council stand regarding the issue.

The working groups wants to ensure the community has access to all the facts surrounding the exploration program so informed decisions can be made on any impact on sustainable, balanced development in the Gloucester district.

Since the meeting there have been many individuals wanting to know how to get involved and what the next steps will be.

If anyone wants to volunteer to support the group in any way, or has any enquiries, they can contact the Working Group by emailing farmshed@lisp.com.au.

The Group is planning a major rally and information exchange in early February.

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