Things continue to be very busy, with developments on many fronts. Here’s a quick summary of key items of interest…
1. COMMUNITY MEETING THIS SUNDAY, 13TH FEBRUARY – FIONA SIMSON
Don’t miss this Sunday’s community meeting at the Bylong Hall with Fiona Simson from NSW Farmers. Fiona is a great speaker and is in the thick of negotiations with both the Government and Opposition regarding mining/agriculture policy. If anyone knows what’s going on, it’s Fiona. She’ll be giving us a run down on where everything’s at now in the lead up to the State Election in March.
Be at the hall around 2.45pm for a 3pm start. Those feeling so inclined are invited to bring something to contribute to afternoon tea (cake/bikkies/scones/whatever).
2. RYLSTONE SHOW (Sat 26th Feb) AND MUDGEE SHOW (Fri 4th and Sat 5th Mar)
The BVPA – in conjunction with Mid-Western Community Action Network (MWCAN) and Running Stream Water Users Association (RSWUA) – will have an information stall/booth at both the Rylstone and Mudgee shows. If you’re in the area, make sure you drop in and say hi. Better yet, if you feel like volunteering some time (say, a couple of hours morning or afternoon), PLEASE CONTACT Jodie Nancarrow (bylongstore@harboursat.com.au) to register your interest in helping and get yourself on a roster! J
3. COMMUNITY CONSULTATION MEETINGS AS PART OF THE NSW COAL AND GAS STRATEGY
These are planned for Gunnedah (Thu, 10th Feb), Lithgow (Fri, 25th Feb), Singleton (Wed, 9th Mar) and in the Illawarra (date and venue to be advised). The BVPA – along with Mid-Western Regional Council, MWCAN and others – requested a meeting be held in Mudgee but were told by email today this would not be happening. The Council has written to the Department in polite but strong terms asking that they reconsider their position, given the scale of developments planned for the region and intense public interest. Watch this space! BVPA Committee members are planning to attend the Singleton and Lithgow meetings if a Mudgee meeting doesn’t eventuate.
4. ON THE POLITICIANS’ RADAR…
Well, there’s no doubt we’re on the radar of various pollies around the place. Andrew Gee – endorsed Nats candidate for Orange (with Russell Turner retiring) was in the area about a week ago. Later this week, Cate Faehrmann (NSW Greens MLC) will be visiting Bylong and key places around the Mudgee Region. Duncan Gay (NSW Nats MLC, Shadow Minister for Primary Industries and Energy) and George Souris (NSW Nats MLA, Member for Upper Hunter) will also be visiting Bylong and Running Stream this week – and Chris Parker (Greens Candidate for Upper Hunter) has also said he may pop his head in. We’re proving popular! Let’s just hope it translates into real progress on the issues that matter to us most.
5. MT PENNY SITE VISIT
On Thursday, members of the BVPA Committee will be given a tour of the proposed Mt Penny project area by representatives of Cascade Coal. I will look forward to updating you in due course on the things we learn from that meeting.
6. MEMBERSHIPS
The BVPA has now registered its constitution with Fair Trading and is officially incorporated, meaning we will now be able to process memberships. For those of you who have expressed interest an interest in this, expect to hear something from us in the next two weeks when we’ll be making official membership applications available.
7. BYLONG POLLING BOOTH FOR STATE ELECTION (OR LACK THEREOF!)
Tim Duddy (Independent candidate for Upper Hunter) contacted us yesterday to alert us to the fact that no polling booth was planned for Bylong for the State Election. This is extremely disappointing news, given that the Bylong Mouse Races are to be held the same day many people would have been expecting to vote while here. (In fact, the Bylong Hall Committee had asked that the polling booth be located at the Hall, rather than the School, for this very reason.) We will be writing to the AEC asking them to reconsider their position.
8. “IF YOU HAVE A SOUL” PICTURES AND POEM EMAIL [see posting]
We’ve had some great feedback regarding the “if you have a SOUL” email/pictures compiled by Mark Woody and Janian McMillan, with reports of it turning up in all sorts of places. Many thanks to those who have forwarded it on to others – it all helps spread the word.
That’s about it for now.
Thanks again to everyone for your support. Don’t forget the meeting on Sunday, or to let Jodie know if you’re interested in helping out at the Rylstone or Mudgee show.
Best regards,
CRAIG
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Craig Shaw
Interim Secretary
Bylong Valley Protection Alliance Inc
Phone:
(0411) 101988
Email:
bylongmining@craigshaw.com.au
Websites:
www.bvpa.org.au
www.craigshaw.com.au/bylongmining
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