An association representing NSW mining related councils and their communities has continued its pre-election appeal for a government inquiry into mining impacts in regional areas.
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Mid-Western Regional Council is one of 23 shires that make up the Association of Mining Related Councils (AMRC).
“We have seen the benefits of a holistic inquiry into infrastructure and social impacts mining has on a community through a study undertaken by the Western Research Institute for Newcrest Mining Limited, Cadia Valley Operations,” association chair and Warrumbungle Shire mayor Peter Shinton said.
“This comprehensive study looked at both mining impacts and the implications for the regional city of Orange and other nearby centres, if the Cadia gold mine was to shut down.
“Just as councils deserve a better return from the mining royalties the State Government extracts from their areas, they should also have all the information possible to best manage mining impacts, including the massive adjustments that come with a mine closure.”
Mr Shinton said councils would benefit from this level of awareness, particularly when negotiating Voluntary Planning Agreements (VPA’s).
“We need the NSW Government to lay the foundations for local studies, with a comprehensive inquiry,” he said.
Cadia Valley Operations commissioned Western Research Institute to complete the study that saw the mining operation voluntarily make additional investments into the local community.
The institute’s CEO Danielle Ranshaw said mining communities need to keep monitoring their health, strengths, weaknesses and changes that occur in the community and its economy, as the result of mining.
“This can be done with a large study like what was done for Cadia but there can also be advantages from regular monitoring on a smaller scale, following solid foundation analysis,” Ms Ranshaw said.
“Ongoing engagement with the local business community, service providers, people involved in the housing sector can also be important in both gauging and informing about mining impacts. This regular monitoring and community liaison can help local councils and mining operations to be aware of mining impacts and ensure the best possible means of addressing them are in place.”
She said if mine operators understand their impacts they can tailor or implement strategies to ensure the community thrives whilst the mine is there and post-mining.