Representatives of the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) came to Gloucester on Wednesday, May 17 to meet with community groups to discuss the proposed Rocky Hill Coal Mine Project.

Groundswell Gloucester, Advance Gloucester, Forbesdale residents and MidCoast Council were invited to meet with the DPE to express views about the project.

Council administrator, John Turner said the meeting was a general discussion of council's and his position, neither of which have altered.

“The planning people explained the meeting was to see and hear first-hand, the position of the various interest groups and visit the site of the proposed mine,” he said.

A spokesperson from the DPE said the recent meeting was a continuation of the meetings with stakeholders and landowners which took place during in September 2016. 

“The department met with the local Gloucester community at a public information session in September to listen to their views on the proposal, and explain the assessment process.

“In addition, the department met with more stakeholders interested in the proposal last week.”

Advance Gloucester chair, Rod Williams said the meeting was a chance for the group to tell the DPE that the mine will provide an opportunity for securing employment and improving economic opportunities in Gloucester.

“The Gloucester community have lived alongside mining operations for generations and the gradual demise of mining in the region has had serious adverse impacts on jobs and the overall economy in the rural township,” Mr Williams said.

“We are a small, proud community that has been well served by the mining community in the past. It has provided work for our families, financial support for our small businesses and prosperity for our region in the form of contributions from the mining companies,” he said.

“Gloucester needs hope and prosperity, and the Rocky Hill Coal project provides an opportunity for the Gloucester region to once again thrive,” Mr Williams expressed.

Members from Groundswell used the opportunity to express how they feel about the project; the fact that they “are angry, exhausted and distressed by the flawed proposal to build an open cut coal mine on the doorstep of beautiful Gloucester.”

In a press release issued by Groundswell, they stated that Forbesdale residents told representatives from DPE of the distress and anguish caused by the project.

“This was the first time the department had heard of the terrible human impact caused by this flawed proposal,” Groundswell member, John Watts said.

They explained how one residents told the DPE that in the 10 years the Rocky Hill mining exploration licence has been held, no one from the company behind the project has ever spoken to him, until two weeks ago. 

The release continue to state how the resident said that this was also the first time any government official had listened to his concerns, describing what he, his wife and children had endured as “cruel”.

Another resident, who has farmed in the area for many years, talked about the adverse impact the mine would have on his farming operations and his family’s health and welfare, Groundswell said.

During the visit, Gloucester Resources Limited (GRL) chief operating officer, Brian Clifford gave the DPE representatives a tour of the proposed project site.

“It was very worthwhile to meet the planning department officials, show them the site and talk through the details of our proposal,” Mr Clifford said.

“We have done a vast amount of work to understand exactly how our mine will impact the community and have developed the project to have minimal impact,” he said.

Mr Clifford said GRL is close to finalising its Response to Submissions (RTS), which will provide further information and explanation to the questions raised by community and industry.

“The company is required to address all submissions received during the exhibition period in the RTS,” a spokeperson from the DPE said.  

“Once the RTS is submitted, the department will undertake a full assessment of the proposal,” DPE said.