Mayor Geoff Slack, Deputy Mayor John Rosenbaum and general manager Allan Young took part in the meeting.

Cr Slack said in representations to the previous government and departmental heads, Council’s request to have exploration licenses 6523,6524 and 6563 held by Gloucester Resources either cancelled or have their boundaries modified were not successful. He said council was hoping for a better outcome with the new Minister.

“Cr. Rosenbaum and I outlined to the Minister the history of Gloucester Resources involvement in our valley and the fact that the previous government ignored the concerns of our citizens.

“I informed the Minister that the preferred position of Council was not to renew the licenses but if this was not the Government’s position then they must look at reducing the area of the exploration license no. 6523 around the township,” Cr Slack said.

The Minister was given the results of council’s recent Community Survey which showed that almost 90% of respondents did not want mining in the scenic protection areas. The Minister was also handed a copy of the results of our Community survey, a copy of the Councils document “Mining Application-Seeking a Community Response” and maps of the Valley with overlays of the exploration licenses and the scenic protection zones.

Cr Slack said both the Minister and our local member expressed the view that they could see issues with coal mining in such close proximity to the township.

Cr Slack said Minister Hartcher advised that should an application come to him for renewal of the licenses that he will be having a much closer review of the issues raised by our community.

“We came away from the meeting very hopeful that at last there is someone in the Government who is prepared to listen to the people of Gloucester,” Cr Slack said.