Airly Mine Extension Project

23 NOVEMBER, 2012

ITEM-15 ENVIRO - 26/11/12 - CENTENNIAL COAL - VARIOUS PROJECTS -

SPRINGVALE, ANGUS PLACE, AIRLY COAL, NEUBECKS 

REPORT BY: A MUIR – GROUP MANAGER ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT

REFERENCE

The proposal for Airly Mine is to expand the existing underground operations under the

Mugii Murum-ban State Conservation Area in the Glen Davis Valley, and provide

additional associated infrastructure. See Attachment 4 for a site plan of the proposed

expansion.

Current amount of coal mined: 1.8 million tonnes per annum(Mtpa)

Current consent due to expire: 12 October 2014

Amount of coal proposed to be mined: 3Mtpa

Number of years to continue: An additional 17 years 

Mine method: Various partial extraction methods

Proposed Hours of operation: Continue 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Proposed Staff:  Full time workforce of up to 135 persons comprising 120 existing

personnel and an additional 15 full time employees, plus contractors 

By Bruce Upton

Capertee Valley Alliance

Christmas Party 2012

Unfortunately due to falling numbers of members and a lack of support from the community, the Capertee and District Progress Association Inc will not be holding the annual Community Christmas Party in 2012.
It is unfortunate but unavoidable.

2012 has been a big year for Progress, with many hours being put into liaising with council, landholders and various government departments.
We have made representations on behalf of the community for increased funding, for upgrades to the cemetery (including a wall for ashes), upgrades to the public toilet in Clarence Pirie Memorial Park, as well as increased signage for visitors to our area. We also participated in Clean Up Australia Day and we continue to lobby for Pearsons Lookout.

To date we have been successful in;

•  The moving forward of a planned upgrade to the public toilet in Clarence Pirie Memorial Park- although we will continue to lobby for a second toilet.
• New tourism signage (soon to be placed in Clarence Pirie Memorial Park)
• Maintenance and upgrade of Capertee cemetery.
• Helping get the proposed Land Use Strategy thrown out of Lithgow City Council.
• Keeping Capertee beautiful with Clean up Australia Day and the continued maintenance of the beautiful gardens around the fire shed and Memorial Hall.
• Successful monthly markets

All of these things have been achieved by only a few people!

 If Capertee is to continue to go forward then we need more members!

The AGM for the Capertee and District Progress Association Inc will be held in February 2013 and we desperately need new members or this association will be forced to cease.

Capertee and District Progress Association would like to thank the tireless efforts by its members over the past year.

Condolences

Capertee and District Progress Association Inc would like to pass on our condolences to the family and friends of the late Sherri Spackman.
Sherri is a member of our Association and the fiance of our President Karl Hansen.
Sherri was a much loved member of the Capertee community and will be sadly missed.
Our thoughts are with Karl and Sherri's family.
May she rest peacefully.

CDPA August meeting cancelled

Over the past month various illnesses have struck down members and family members of Capertee and District Progress Association Inc.
This has had an unexpected delay to our projects and plans, including this blog!
We apologise for the delay in information, and for the cancellation of the August meeting.
Hopefully we will be all fit and healthy for the spring period!

Nepean Blue Mountains Medicare Local

The Nepean Blue Mountains Medicare Local is the health organisation for the four Local Government Areas of Lithgow, Nepean, Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains and speakers attended a meeting last week Saturday 9 June 2012 to meet with the residents of Capertee and the 4 localities in the Capertee Valley . They were: 

Sheila Holcombe CEO gave an update on the establishment of the Nepean Blue Mountains Medicare Local and the committment by them to engaging with consumers regarding health issues. 

Diana Aspinall Consumer Representative and Chair of the Joint Nepean Blue Mountains Medicare Local and Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District Consumer Committee spoke about the model they are using to engage with all consumers and particular reference was made in regard to Capertee/Capertee Valley the most Northern end of Lithgow Region boundary under the Nepean-Blue Mountains Medicare Local area, Diana spoke about the Health Consumer Forum that will be held in Lithgow on the 16th November 2012. 
Medicare Locals (MLs) are regional promary health care prganisations that have been set up to improve health outcomes for Australians by ensuring that communities have better and FAIRER ACCESS to the health services they need, By 1 July 2012, 62 ML's will be operating across the country and the Australian Medicare Local Network, the national body for MLs will be established and based in Canberra.
What are Medicare Locals and what do they do?
medicare Locals are not-for-profit organisations funded predominantly by the Federal Government. They are governed by LOCAL boards featuring clinicians and other skills based directors drawn from the community.
Capertee Valley we have been told is considered as rural remote area.
Medicare Locals will:
link and coordinate primary health care services. These are the services you receive from your GP, practice and community nurses through the community pharmacists and allied health professionals such as physiotherapists and podiatrists.
Work with consumers, communities and a range of other groups to identify, plan, put in place the health services that are needed for your local community.
Help to improve the quality and performance of your local primary health care services.
Build up your local community's after hours services.

Medicare Locals will work towards ensuring that the right services are in the right places for consumers and some will deliver services directly to consumers and patients.
Why do we need MLs?
They say :To improve access< To target services needs, To improve navigation, To promote health, To improve health outcomes, To reduce duplication, MLS are working towards implementing a Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR) to make tracking medical histories and information a lot easier and more efficient. Currently the LEAN (Local Exercise and Nutrition) committee established by Medicare local Western NSW (was called Central West Divsion of General Practice) meets at Glen Alice School usually on a bi-monthly timetable and members are drawn from P&C< CVA Inc, GACA Inc, GDCA Inc and Capertee Valley residents. A newsletter is being established and hopefully can be collected from 4 locations across the valley. Nepean- Blue Mountains Medicare Local will work closely with the Nepean-Blue Mountains Local Health District to establish a consumer engagement structure. Consumer Contact
Region
Diana Aspinall
Mobile             0403 809 058 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            0403 809 058      end_of_the_skype_highlighting      
email: daspinall@internode.net
Lithgow
Judith Davies 6359 3037
mshoard11@bigpond.com
-(see www.yourhealth.gov.au for information about health reform).


Copied with thanks Capertee Valley Alliance

Warning Message from Maree Statham

I am alarmed at what the council are planning to do:
 PUBLIC EXHIBITION OF DRAFT LITHGOW CITY COUNCIL SECTION 94A DEVELOPMENT CONTRIBUTIONS PLAN.
Lithgow Mercury dated Thursday 24th May
 The plan details an $8.01 million works schedule to  be partially funded to the value & 4.05 million from section 94A, this is DISCRACEFUL, I am not sure if people realise, submissions are to be in on Friday.

It is on the website, this is almost  as bad as the L.U.S.


Just thought you might make as many people in the valley know, perhaps you can put it on your blog, Donna.

The dearer the dwelling the more you pay apparently, it will get under everyones guard I think.


Maree

Capertee Village Improvement- Meeting

Don't forget, tonight- Tuesday 12th of June 5pm
Dining Room Capertee Royal Hotel!


Items for discussion:

1. Clarence Pirie Park - Development

2. Signage

3. Capertee Cemetary

4. Section 94 Contributions - Airly

5. Castlereagh Highway - Blackman's Crown Rockface

6. Derelict Properties at Capertee

7. Village Drainage Program

8. Capertee Hall

9. Pearsons Lookout

10. General Discussion regarding Village Improvements/Development

Visit by John Cobb MP in July

Advice received -

John Cobb will be visiting locations in the eastern part of his electorate on Wednesday 11^th July.

see details below.

0930 -1100 – Capertee – Café/General Store (TBC)

1200-1300 –Glen Davis - Community Centre

1430 – 1600 – Cullen Bullen – The Royal Hotel

NB: Constituents will also receive a flyer in their mailboxes prior to the visit advising them of the location and time.

This visit is in its very early stages, no communication/advertising has been commenced. These types of visits are considered as mobile electorate offices and are organised by John’s office with the aim of providing an opportunity for constituents to meet him and discuss any Federal issues/concerns they might have. Appointments are not necessary and people are encouraged to just turn up at the nominated time at the relevant location.

Thanks to Capertee Valley Alliance for the information

Open day at Simmo's Museum

Meeting location change for the colder months

The monthly Capertee and District Progress Association Inc meetings have been moved to the warmth of the Capertee Royal Hotel for the duration of the colder months and will return to the hall when it warms up a little!

Capertee Village Improvements discussion

Following the recent Council information session for Integrated Planning and Reporting held on 26 April at the War Memorial hall Capertee, a meeting has been set for Tuesday 12 June at 5pm in the Dining Room of the Capertee Royal Hotel, to discuss opportunities for Village Improvements at Capertee.

 If you have any items to be included in the agenda please contact ( by the 31st of May 2012)

 Karl (02)63590099 

or

 Benita (02)63590066

 or 

Deborah McGrath | Corporate Strategy and Communications Officer

Policy and Planning | LITHGOW CITY COUNCIL

PH (02) 6354 9999

Working together

The IPR session at Capertee on the 26th was spent not having a go at the Council reps, but working with them and how we can both work together to achieve common goals and goals of the community. We are looking forward to our next meeting this month.

We are working towards signage for Capertee and the Capertee Valley, an upgrade of the toilets in the 'Clarence Pirie Park', which will eliminate the bare bums that have been sited in the head lights of vehicles coming out of the Valley. Footpaths, drainage, a fence and a columbarium at the cemetry. Also a better program of grass cutting around the park and adjacent Glen Davis road, to help keep the village a more pleasent place for the tourist to stop.

A new flag was raised on ANZAC Day morning

One step at a time.
This is called Progress.

Cheers,

Karl

Capertee Valley Photos

For a look at some beautiful photos from our area go to:


http://caperteevalleyphotos.blogspot.com.au/

TOP 10 Australian birding sites.

It is quite interesting what you find when you're looking for something else! 
Here is a short piece from a website http://bird-o.com that I have come across. 
Great information on our unique part of the world!

Here’s Bird-O’s “no-frills guide” to our TOP10 Australian birding sites.

The Capertee Valley.

The incredible Capertee Valley!!

Surely the most famous birding destination in Australia? Anyone who’s ever thought of coming to Australia has Capertee at the top of their list. The trip starts at the Capertee General Store for an excellent bacon & egg roll.  It’s great to be down before dawn for plenty of birding action but what makes this spot so brilliant is that the road lies in the lee of the Blue Mountains. You can start at 07.00 as the sun crests that little dividing range running the length of Australia. Often birds at the Capertee start their dawn chorus around 07.30 ….

Even with a late start you can notch up 100 birds in a day quite easily and still be back in Sydney by mid-evening. Such gems as Turquoise Parrot,Plum-headed Finch, Diamond Firetail, Spotted Quail-thrush, Australian Owlet-Nightjar, Regent Honeyeater (best in spring or when their favourite trees are flowering or when they decide you may be permitted to look at them); a superb selection of mammals are often on show too. Add to that, what’s reputed to be the largest enclosed valley (leading to the narrow gorge formation at Glen Davis) in the Southern Hemisphere – it’s simply stunning scenery and quite similar to the smaller Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA!

ANZAC celebrations at Capertee School

Draft Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework

At its meeting held on 23 April 2012, Lithgow City Council resolved to adopt its Draft Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework for public exhibition for a period of 28 days concluding on Friday 25 May 2012. 

The Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework has been developed following extensive consultation with the community and review of all internal strategic planning documents. The Framework consists of:

·                Our Place…Our Future Community Strategic Plan 2025

·                Our Place…Our Future Long Term Financial Plan 2012-2022

·                Our Place…Our Future Strategic Asset Management Plan

·                Our Place…Our Future Workforce Strategy 2012-2016

·                Our Place…Our Future Draft Delivery Program 2012-2016 and Operations Plan 2012-2013 (former Management Plan)

·                Our Place…Our Future Fees and Charges 2012-2013.

Copies of all of the Draft documents can be read at the Lithgow, Wallerawang and Lithgow PCYC,

 Suzanne McNamara

PO Box 632,

LITHGOW NSW 2790Portland libraries; and are available at the Council’s Administration Centre or may be downloaded from Council’s web site http://www.lithgow.nsw.gov.au/integratedPlanning

A series of briefing and open house sessions will also be held at the following places:

CAPERTEE: Thursday 26 April, 6pm Capertee Memorial Hall – IPR Briefing Session

HARTLEY: Wednesday 2 May, 6pm Old Hartley Schoolhouse – IPR Briefing Session

PORTLAND: Thursday 3 May, 2-5pm Portland Library – Open House Session

LITHGOW: Friday 4 May, 10am-4pm – Lithgow Valley Shopping Centre – Open House Session

WALLERAWANG: Tuesday 8 May, 10am-1pm Wallerawang Library – Open House Session

LITHGOW: Friday 11 May 10am-6pm – Lithgow Library – Open House Session

In addition to the abovementioned sessions a Youth Forum will be held at the Lithgow Council Chambers on Thursday 10 May 4-6pm with the Lithgow Youth Council, local youth service providers and youth groups.

Written public submissions close on Friday 25 May at 4.30pm.  Submissions may be sent to the General Manager, Lithgow City Council, PO Box 19, Lithgow 2790, or tocouncil@lithgow.nsw.gov.au, quoting reference number IPR09-12.

All feedback from these briefing sessions and written public submissions will be tabled with Council for consideration prior to making its final decision in June.

If you require additional information please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned on 6354 9921 or e-mail deborah.mcgrath@lithgow.nsw.gov.au. 

Yours sincerely

Deborah McGrath | Corporate Strategy and Communications OfficerPolicy and Planning | LITHGOW CITY COUNCIL

PH (02) 6354 9999 | FAX (02) 6351 4259

18 April 2012
DRAFT INTEGRATED PLANNING AND REPORTING
FRAMEWORK PROPOSED EXHITION TIMETABLE
Council is currently developing its Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework
which will consist of the following suite of documents:
 Our Place…Our Future Draft Community Strategic Plan 2025
 Our Place…Our Future Draft Long-term Financial Plan 2012-2022
 Our Place…Our Future Draft Workforce Strategy
 Our Place…Our Future Draft Strategic Asset Management Plan
 Our Place…Our Future Draft Combined Delivery Program 2012-2016 and
Operations Plan and Revenue Policy 2012-2013.
 Our Place…Our Future Fees and Charges 2012-2013
The Draft Delivery Program 2012-2016 and Operations Plan 2012-2013 replace
council’s annual Management Plan from previous years providing a four-year
horizon for the implementation of the Draft Community Strategic Plan.
Following adoption of the Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework at the
Council meeting to be held on Monday 23 April it is proposed that the documents
will be on exhibition until 4.30pm on Friday 25 May 2012 and will be available for
viewing at Council's Administration Centre, Lithgow Library Learning Centre,
Portland Library, Wallerawang Library, Rydal Library and website
http://www.lithgow.nsw.gov.au/integratedPlanning
Written submissions may be made at any time during the exhibition period up
until 4.30pm on Friday 25 May 2012 and should quote Council's Internal
Reference No. IPR09-12.
A preliminary timetable for community briefing sessions and open house sessions
has been developed to enable members of the community to meet with Council
Officers to discuss any of the abovementioned documents during this period as
follows:
 Thursday 26 April 6 - 7.30pm - Capertee Memorial Hall – Briefing Session
 Wed 2nd May 6 - 7.30pm – Hartley School Hall – Briefing Session
 Thursday 3rd May 2-5pm - Portland Library – Open House Session
 Friday 4th May 10am - 4pm - Lithgow Valley Shopping Centre – Open
House Session
 Tuesday 8th May 10am - 1pm - Wallerawang Library – Open House
Session
 Thursday 10th May 4pm - 6pm - Council Admin Centre - Youth Forum
 Friday 11 May 10am-6pm - Lithgow Library – Open House Session
Please note these dates and times are subject to adoption of the
Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework by Council on Monday
23 April and may be subject to change.
Any queries regarding this matter may be directed to Ms Deborah McGrath,
Corporate Strategy and Communications Officer on 02 6354 9921.

Community Engagement Strategy - Lithgow City Council

The Community Strategic Plan is to be developed in collaboration with the community and establishes an overarching framework based on the community’s main priorities and aspirations for the future of our area.

However, Council is not wholly responsible for the implementation of the plan.  The community strategic plan requires a collaborative approach between Council and its partners; state agencies and community groups to deliver the long-term objectives of the plan.

Our Place, Our Future – Draft Community Strategic Plan 2021 has been developed following continued consultation with the community since the development of the Strategic Plan 2007.  It shows that although we have achieved many of the objectives set, integrated planning is part of a continual process of reviewing, developing and implementing plans, strategies and processes to ensure the long-term sustainability of our local government area. 

Draft Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework – Proposed Exhibition At its Ordinary Meeting held on 26 March 2011 Council resolved to adopt the proposed community engagement timeframes and actions for the public exhibition of the Draft Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework as follows: Monday 23 April: Draft Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework document suite reported to Council to adopt for exhibition. Tuesday 24 April to Friday 25 May: Exhibition Period – Briefing Sessions Thursday 26 April 6 - 7.30pm - Capertee - IPR Briefing Session Friday 27 April 10am-6pm - Lithgow Library - Open House Session Wed 2nd May 6 - 7.30pm - Hartley - IPR Briefing Session Thursday 3rd May 2-5pm -  Portland Library - Open House Session Friday 4th May 10am - 4pm - Lithgow Valley Shopping Centre - Open House Session Tuesday 8th May 10am - 1pm - Wallerawang Library - Open House Session Thursday 10th May 4pm - 6pm -  Council Admin Centre - Youth Forum Monday 4 June: Final Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework Document Suite reported to Council for adoption. Note: The Proposed Community Engagement Process for Phase 2 Consultation is subject to the adoption of the Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework for public exhibition on Monday 23 April and may be subject to change. The following draft documents which make up the Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework will be exhibited by Council for public comment as part of this process: Our Place…Our Future, Draft Community Strategic Plan 2025 Our Place…Our Future, Long-term Financial Plan Our Place…Our Future, Strategic Asset Management Plan Our Place…Our Future, Workforce Plan Our Place…Our Future, Combined Delivery Program and Operational Plan. Once finalised and adopted for exhibition the Integrated Planning and Reporting Draft Document Suite will be available for viewing at the following locations during ordinary hours Council’s Administration Centre 180 Mort Street, Lithgow (or phone 02 63549999 for further information) Lithgow Library Learning Centre 157 Main Street, Lithgow Portland Library Williwa Street, Portland Wallerawang Library Main Street, Wallerawang

Coalpac seeks planning approval

COALPAC Pty Ltd

Coalpac Pty Ltd, is currently seeking state planning approval through the Department of Planning for the Coalpac Consolidation Project, located approximately 25 kilometres north-west of Lithgow.

The environmental assessment is on public exhibition for an extended period from Tuesday 10 April 2012 until Friday 1 June 2012.

All relevant project documents are publicly available on the department’s website at http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=4332

The proposal includes:

• Consolidating development consents and project approvals at both the Invincible and Cullen Valley coal mines so that one approval regulates mining across both sites;
• Expanding open cut and high wall mining areas, to extract an additional 108 million tonnes of coal;
• Upgrading and building associated infrastructure to process 3.5 million tonnes of coal per annum and transport coal off the site by road and rail;
• Producing up to 640,000 tonnes of sand products each year;
• Clearing approximately 960 hectares of vegetation, primarily within Ben Bullen State Forest; and
• Rehabilitating the site.

The proposal includes a biodiversity offset strategy, which would potentially allocate more than 1,755 hectares of land as biodiversity offsets.

Coalpac is proposing to employ up to 120 operational staff and additional contractors for the 21-year life of the project.

The project will also require Commonwealth approval under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

From Tuesday 10 April, the environmental assessment for the project will be available to view during business hours at:

• Cullen Bullen General Store – Castlereagh Highway, Cullen Bullen
• Department of Planning and Infrastructure – Information Centre, 23-33 Bridge Street, Sydney;
• Lithgow City Council – 180 Mort Street, Lithgow CBD;
• Lithgow Council Library Portland Branch – Williwa Street, Portland; and
• Nature Conservation Council – Level 2, 5 Wilson Street, Newtown.

Submissions can be:
· Lodged online at www.planning.nsw.gov.au;
· Emailed to plan_comment@planning.nsw.gov.au;
· Faxed to (02) 9228 6466; or
· Posted to Mining and Industry Projects, Department of Planning and Infrastructure,
GPO Box 39, SYDNEY NSW 2001.

Regent Honey Eater Tree planting weekend

Birds Australia Regent Honey Eater Capertee Valley Tree 


Planting Weekend. 




5th and 6th of May 2012 




Suzie Lamb 0410 959 537

Paul Toole visit

Paul Toole visit - reminder

24th April 2012

Stop 1

Bogee RFS- 8.45 to 9.30am –

Bogee Rural Fire Shed for (quick cuppa) Morning Tea.

Stop 2

Glen Alice School official opening  10.00am to 11.00am

Stop3

Glen Davis Community Association 11.30am to 1.00pm

Community Centre – meet the community and light lunch (gold coin).

Stop 4

Capertee Public School/ Progress Assn 1.30pm to 2.30pm

Meet the school families and staff and the residents of Capertee.

Workshop Invitation

click on text to enlarge

Transport for NSW, have your say

Transport customers, businesses and other organisations are being urged to have their say on the future of transport following the release of a discussion paper as part of the process to develop the NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan www.transportmasterplan.nsw.gov.au

The discussion paper examines key transport issues, challenges and opportunities for Sydney and the regions taking into account the need to support population increases, job creation, economic growth and land use strategies.

Transport for NSW is now accepting submissions to help in determining the best way to deliver transport services and infrastructure over the next 20 years.

Submissions are due by 27 April 2012.

Your input will help inform the NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan.

There are a number of ways you can have your say:

• Send us your feedback via the online feedback form
• Email us at masterplan@transport.nsw.gov.au
• Send a written submission or letter to:

NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan team

Transport for NSW

GPO Box K659

Haymarket NSW 1240

Daylight savings ends

Daylight saving will end in New South Wales on Sunday 1 April 2012 at 3:00 am, when clocks will be put back one hour.


Daylight saving will begin again in New South Wales on Sunday 7 October 2012 at 2:00 am, when clocks will be put forward one hour.

Clarence Pirie Memorial Park

Clarence Pirie Memorial Park at Capertee is looking the neatest it has in quite awhile thanks to Clean Up Australia Day and the efforts by Karl Hansen who has spent much time on whipper snipping under all of the signs, around the picnic tables, around the toilet and anywhere else the council seem find too hard to do. A phone call to the council finally managed to get the grass mowed and the park looks like somewhere you would feel comfortable to stop once again.
Thanks Karl

Clean up Day Australia / Capertee!

Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday March 4th rolled around with clear blue skies and the sun beating down!
A nice change from all of the rain.


It was disappointing to see that only three people turned up to participate in the day, although we did expect smaller numbers due to the rain and flooding.
Karl Hansen worked tirelessly collecting rubbish and recycling from the road quarry on Lithgow side of town all the way to Tim Dickson Close on the Mudgee side.
Benita and Liliah Dolbel concentrated on the Clarence Pirie Memorial Park and opposite.
In total 12 bags of garbage and recycling were collected. At approximately 20 kilos per bag that is a whopping 240kgs!


Another day will be planned in the future to give Pearson's Lookout a quick tidy up as rubbish has once again started to line the highway at the entrance.


A big thanks to Karl Hansen for organising Clean Up Australia day, and for working so hard on towards keeping our beautiful area- Beautiful.

And down comes the rain!

Pic- Kathy Grimshaw

Looking south toward tri ways, Glen Alice road

Pic: Bruce Upton

Looking toward Glen Davis

Pic: C Lus

VAST Digital TV is coming to Capertee

There is a satellite subsidy available for residents in Capertee to switch to the new VAST digital service.


If you have any questions about the subsidy or would like to apply, come along to the free information session.


When: Tuesday 28 February 2012
Where: Capertee Memorial Hall
Time: 1:00pm – 2:30pm

Newcastle Herald 22/02/2012- Sound familiar?

Hunter missing out on mining royalties

BY MICHELLE HARRIS

22 Feb, 2012 04:00 AM

UPPER Hunter towns are missing out on their fair share of government funding for works and services while the booming mining industry on their doorsteps generates hundreds of millions of dollars in royalties, a new report shows.

An economic assessment of mining-affected communities, released by the NSW government yesterday, confirms concerns the region’s leaders have voiced for years about a significant imbalance between spending on Singleton and Muswellbrook and the money they generate for government.
The two local government areas received $5396 per capita in capital works and recurrent funding in 2010-11, putting them behind the NSW average of $6058.
Together, Singleton and Muswellbrook generated $20,468 per capita in mining royalties, payroll and other taxes and GST in the last financial year.
Royalties alone from the two areas tallied $709 million, or 57 per cent of all mining royalties in the state.
Other local government areas in the state trailed at least $15,000 per capita behind in funds generated.
Muswellbrook mayor and Hunter Councils chairman Martin Rush said the report acknowledged the council’s long-held belief of an infrastructure imbalance.
The state’s view of the region had improved in recent years, manifesting in compliance officers being based in Singleton, enhanced air quality monitoring and other measures.
‘‘The watershed is this acceptance that the Hunter cannot be sacrificed for the rest of the state,’’ Cr Rush said.
‘‘It might be a resource rich region but it is not there to be exploited, it’s there to be supported both pre-mining and post-mining and during mining.’’

The analysis, part of the Coalition’s election commitment to establish a $160 million Resources for Regions program, grouped areas based on royalties generated then compared the spending they received. Most other mining-affected communities in NSW received more funding per head of population in 2010-11 than those unaffected by mining.

Newcastle, home to the world’s biggest coal export port, was on the non-mining list.

Deputy Premier and Regional Infrastructure and Services Minister Andrew Stoner said the report showed Muswellbrook and Singleton had been neglected under Labor. The Coalition would engage with local councils and Infrastructure NSW to identify key economic infrastructure projects in these regions.

Initial allocations from Resources for Regions would be made in the June state budget, but it was ‘‘too soon to be talking dollar terms’’.

The money for the program would come from the Coalition’s promised ‘‘Restart NSW’’ fund, which consists of any ‘‘windfall tax revenue’’ and funding from sources such as Premier Barry O’Farrell’s Waratah bonds.

The government has also said the proceeds from its planned sale of the electricity generators, including Macquarie Generation, would go into the same fund.

Cr Rush said Muswellbrook and Singleton expected to share about $112 million from Resources for Regions. He said it was important the money was spent on regional projects, and that Hunter Councils, the Hunter Infrastructure Fund board and other major stakeholders should be engaged.

Singleton mayor Sue Moore said she could show Mr Stoner a busy intersection for which her council had to borrow $2 million to upgrade because state funds were lacking.

‘‘They said it was a local traffic [issue] and wouldn’t come to the table,’’ she said.

Labor primary industries spokesman Steve Whan said the former government deserved some blame for the towns’ spending shortfall.

‘‘But focusing on what’s happening now, the [Coalition’s] Resources for Regions program is still in the never-never and based on very vague funding sources.’’

- with Fran Thompson