The council met at Parliament House on February 23 to have a number of representatives from mining related departments and companies discuss the issues facing mining communities.

Guests at the meeting included CEO NSW Minerals Council Dr Nikki Williams, Shadow minister for Industry the Honourable Duncan Gray and Minister for Mineral Resources the Honourable Steve Whan.

Singleton Council’s representative John Martin said it was a good meeting that saw a lot of discussion about Singleton from many of the guest speakers.

At the meeting Dr Nikki Williams discussed the problems of the Hunter Valley and Singleton with the whole in the wall and a health study.

After the meeting the Association released a media statement welcoming NSW Shadow Minister for Primary Industry and Energy The Hon Duncan Gay’s commitment to a policy that will return resources back into regions.

In response to the association’s request for a similar scheme to the Western Australian Royalties for Regions model the Shadow Minister said at the meeting there is a need and a role for a return of royalties to the regions.

Cr Martin said his idea of such a scheme could see a regional pot of money allocated to mining regions.

“For example every Mayor from the Hunter regional councils could put in a local input with concern areas for that pot,” Cr Martin said.

Hunter coal mines are responsible for 77 per cent of all raw coal production in New South Wales.