Opinion

Conversation should be open

THERE is much more to the battle over Wallaby Scrub Road than initially meets the eye.

Wallaby Scrub Road is part of the Great North Road and the proposed mining site includes an area of endangered woodland and native habitat that should be protected by a 2003 state government “never to be mined” ministerial guarantee.

That guarantee gave peace of mind to those affected by the development, specifically people living in Warkworth and Bulga.

All assumed that the state government determining it should never be mined meant precisely that.

Now, it appears Singleton Council is in a situation where it is being asked to have conversations with the Department of Planning over Wallaby Scrub Road.

These conversations must be open and transparent for people to have any faith and trust in a situation they are already upset about.

The only commercial aspect is the figure.

All the subject matter, other than the price, should be public knowledge.

Again, secrecy is why people get upset.

Posted By: Di Sneddon on 16/09/2011 12:16:00 PM | Comments (1)

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I was there in 2003 when C&A promised 'We'll never ever mine the Warkworth sands eec". Just shows coal miners and politicians should not be trusted when it comesd to promises.

The Warkworth sands is unique as it is the most inland reserve of coastal banksia and other plants, many quite endemic. The community also forms part of the protective buffer to Wollombi Brook. How much more of the Valley are we to lose before we wake up; once gone, the valley floor, its rivers, alluvium and ecosystems will not return?

Posted by Feargal, 16/09/2011 3:44:59 PM, on Singleton Argus