Minister Mac-donald had previously indicated he would be attending the meeting that was held in Dungog last Friday, and had encouraged all member councils to compile a list of questions and issues they had on the mining industry so that he could address them at the meeting.

However, the day before the meeting was to go ahead, Minister Macdonald informed the association that he would be unable to attend, and no replacement from the Minister’s office or the Department of Primary Industries was arranged to attend in his place.

Cr Paul Nichols, who is a Singleton Council representative on the association, was annoyed at his failed appearance.

“It is really disappointing that the day before the meeting he has bailed out and left us hanging,” Cr Nichols said.

“He has said he will have all our questions answered and sent out to us, but that is not the same as having him there and the opportunity to go through the issues with him.”

Cr Nichols said that the Minister had indicated that he may be able to attend the next meeting of the association, which is scheduled to take place in Narrabri in August.

The major issue that the association had wanted to take up with the Minister was the possibility of establishing a policy of money raised from coal mining royalties being invested back into mining communities, such as Singleton

Some of the issues that Singleton Council had requested be put to the Minister were the need for a dust monitor in the Singleton township, why the State Government will not support a study on the health affects of the mining operations in the Upper Hunter, the excise of Broke Fordwich from petroleum exploration leases, increased community consultation by the mining companies, and a shortening in the period of time between exploration and approval for mining.