On the one hand you had industry coming to the table to have what could only be described as quite uncomfortable conversations.

Residents spoke of their experiences of the past and why they have such a suspicious attitude towards reports like environmental assessments for mining projects.

Residents spoke passionately about their properties, the environment, the risk to acquifers and told personal stories of having difficulty sleeping because of mine noise generating 24 seven.

Residents used words like outraged and explained, politely, why such outraged existed.

Some in the industry handled the comments better than others.

Quite frankly, their is wide recognition within industry that practice isn’t perfect.

Now there seems to be an attitude from industry that they will try and change the errors of their way.

While there is still much action needed before anyone will be satisfied at least industry and community are talking.

The only disappointing aspect to Friday’s event was the lack of state government representation.

There were two representatives from the state government’s environment department and on all accounts, they were great value.

But that was it from the state government.

There was no one from planning, no health reps, no regional infrastructure reps, no resources and energy reps , not one.

Much of the change to improve coalmining practices sits on the shoulders of the state government.

They should have accepted the invitation and taken the opportunity to hear the facts so real change can happen.