Hi cost of Informa

Monday, 30 January 2012 Posted By Guy Sim Guy Sim Vice President Running Stream Water Users Association RUNNING STREAM NSW 2850 16 January 2012 The Editor Mudgee Guardian MUDGEE NSW 2850 Dear Sir/Madam I am writing to you to express our concern at the Informa Mining Conference slated to be held at the Parklands Resort in Mudgee on the 20th and 21st of March this year. We are concerned that the highly segmented target audience will not be reflective of the true concerns of the local population. This includes those people and their families dependent on the agricultural, winemaking and tourism industries. The conference will not allay concerns of the ordinary townspeople of Mudgee who cherish the rural atmosphere found around Mudgee and in only a handful of towns and communities across the globe. Mudgee, today, is a unique experience for most Australians. The list of speakers can only present a distorted view of the benefits of mining. The statement in the press article: "Mudgee is an area Informa have been watching with interest for some time, Mr Ewan said. With four active mines in the region, plus many prospective mines, the interest in the Mudgee region is high" should cause extreme concern for the majority of people within our community. It would be welcomed by our group if The Hon. Steve Whan MLC, Shadow Minister for Resources and Primary Industries could forward a copy of the speech that he is to deliver at the conference. His session is titled: "Encouraging mining investment and exploration in Central Western NSW." The former Minister for planning, Tony Kelly, could possibly provide far greater insight into "encouragement" techniques and the benefits of the now defunct Part 3a of the Planning Act. I am continually annoyed that the benefits derived from mining and touted by the industry leaders are purely of financial gains. Given the non-sustainability of mining, this is the epitome of short-sighted greed, regardless of how it is marketed. The slogan "Coal for a decade or water for life" is totally apt. We at Running Stream are concerned about the degradation that proposed mining in our area will cause to our pristine groundwater, streams and air and to the fabric of our families as well. It is a pity that the $2850 entrance fee is not affordable to individuals. I invite Informa to sponsor up to five delegates from the various local action groups within the area who are opposed to the aggressive and seemingly uncontrolled expansion of mining, and especially fossil fuel mining, within the local areas. Yours sincerely Guy Sim

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