At a meeting on Tuesday, the member councils of D Division voted unanimously to support a motion that no exploration licences be granted or mining permitted within scenic protection zones, village zones, urban zones and rural residential zones of any local environment plan of any council.

Also supported was that the protection of agriculture be considered and evaluated as part of the assessment of mining development applications.

Singleton Mayor, Sue Moore, said this was a motion that the people of Singleton could relate to, especially in outlying village areas.

“This issue is very relevant to us (Singleton), especially our village areas, which are being heavily impacted on by mining,” she said.

Cr Moore said that an area such as Jerrys Plains, which recently has had two exploration licences granted on the outskirts of the village, needed some form of protection.

“As well as being a residential area, Jerrys Plains has significant heritage value and it seems this is being totally disregarded,” she said.

The motion was put forward by Gloucester Shire Council, whose community is currently rallying against an exploration licence being granted to mining company Gloucester Resources.

Gloucester Mayor Julie Lyford said her council has been concerned for some time that mining exploration leases are being approved by the State Government that encompass areas close to residential areas of rural towns.

“While there are undoubtedly great economic benefits from mining, the State Government should be looking at other economic indicators, as there are disadvantages,” Cr Lyford said.

“We have a $28 million tourism industry that is increasing rapidly and we don’t want to lose that, and we need agriculture areas protected as well.”

The motion will be taken to the Shires Association annual conference that will be held in Sydney from June 1 to 3, and if supported, the Shires Association will lobby the State Government to consider the changes.