It is not for existing coal mines, existing coal exploration licenses or approved projects waiting to start.

So the moratorium is only for completely new projects, projects we don’t know about yet.

And it appears some of that moratorium is to allow the state government to decide how and when it will charge coal companies for for lodging applications with their department.

Up until the moratorium, the payment, and it was a significant figure at that, was made prior to the consideration of an application.

Now it appears that payment will come afterwards.

There was great anticipation that this moratorium would be a chance to make sweeping changes to the manner in which coal application processes are handled.

There was also a community expectation that there would be a whole of government approach to the coal application process.

In the meantime all we have seen are mine applications, new expansions and modifications that certainly haven’t given anyone any breathing space to assess what is already happening and what needs to happen in the future.

A meeting in Singleton on July 1, facilitated by the NSW Minerals Council for dialogue between community and industry will hopefully make some steps forward towards continued strength in the coal industry but with improved environmental outcomes for this generation and generations to come. Maybe a good conversation for the state government to hear.

Congratulations

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Fifty years doing anything is a big deal but 50 years volunteering for a community organisation is something pretty special.

When that organisation puts you in the line of fire,literally, that decision reflects a community spirit we should embrace.

Congratulations to all the recipients of long service citations at Jerrys Plains on Saturday - we are proud to have such dedicated men and women in our midst.