The workshop is part of the Upper Hunter Mining Dialogue process instigated by NSW Minerals Council.

Resources and Energy Division of Department of Planning and Infrastructure will outline the 1999 synoptic plan on land use and explain lessons learned and possible avenues for development of a new plan.

The forum will discuss how a new plan should be developed.

A land use plan was one of the key items from the initial dialogue between community and industry in Singleton earlier this year.

The intention was for a land use planning workshop with interested stakeholders, Department of Planning, Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services.

While Department of Planning have indicated an intention to consult with community on the Strategic Land Use Plan for the Upper Hunter, they are not ready for that consultation yet.

The workshop will be held at Singleton Diggers RSL, York Street, on Wednesday, November 16, from 9am to 1pm.

Meanwhile Federal leader of the Nationals Warren Truss has released a blueprint for coal seam gas development in Australia.

Mr Truss said managed properly, coal seam gas has the potential to revitalise parts of regional Australia, delivering a new economic boom.

“Poorly managed, it could become an environmental and social disaster,” Mr Truss said.

Five core principles include:

•No coal seam gas where it poses a significant impact to the quality of groundwater or surface water systems.

•No coal seam gas that has potential to impact prime agricultural land.

•No coal seam gas close to existing residential areas.

•Landowners be entitled to pecuniary returns as payment for providing land access.

•Revenue generated by coal seam gas should be returned to the regions that deliver much of the wealth from coal seam gas developments.

The Nationals will launch a discussion paper on specific policy options to achieve these core principles.

“There is no doubt that the environment must be protected, but so do the economic development imperatives of regional Australia and the legitimate rights of landowners.

“Unless regional communities are engaged as partners, and have something to gain, in the development of coal seam gas industry, they will not support it – let alone on their land,” Mr Truss said.