Col Stapleton, Deidre Olofsson and Wendy Bowman met with LPMA representatives yesterday.

Within 30 minutes they were told the land was no longer theirs to manage.

Clearly shocked, the trio never expected this news at a meeting they believed was to discuss the Ashton south east open cut coal mine proposal.

The Singleton Argus understands that for some yet to be explained reason, the LPMA decided to revoke the 200 acre area as common land and make it crown land.

By way of licence, the Department then took up an agreement with Ashton Coal.

Mr Stapleton believed the land was given to the mine for grazing and access purposes.

In return the Camberwell Trust was given 26 acres of alternative land within Camberwell.

Mr Stapleton said taking 200 acres and replacing with 26 was hardly a fair swap.

To make matters worse the changeover will take place today.

Once the change from common to crown land is gazetted, the Trust will have no legal ability to challenge the State Government’s decision.

The group has already contacted the Environmental Defenders Office to attempt to challenge the decision.

Members of the Trust had 16 head of cattle and four horses using the common at the time the decision was announced.

Further concern is the condition of the land. Large cracks began to appear across the common in 2006 and the Trust had been working with the LPMA and Ashton Coal towards their repair.

Wendy Bowman said she believed taking the land off the Trust was one way of putting an end to the Trust’s complaints.

Trust members were hoping to address the Singleton Shire Healthy Environment Group at its meeting this afternoon.

Both Ashton Coal and the LPMA were contacted by The Singleton Argus yesterday.

At the time of going to print, only the Department had replied with the following comments.

The LPMA confirmed separate meetings were held yesterday morning between the State Government’s Land and Property Management Authority and Ashton Mining and then with the Camberwell Common Trust.

The LPMA denied it had given theland to the mine and explained that the mining company had lodged a licence application for grazing and access.

The licence will be executed by the LPMA in confirmation of a gazette notice in the Government Gazette tomorrow.

The LPMA specifically requested that Ashton mining consult the ‘commoners’ regarding removal of stock or possible continuation of grazing until the area is required for mining.