We support the NSW Government process set out a strategy for coal in NSW. It is important for all industries and stakeholders to have their say. But we are frustrated that it is taking time to get going.

While there is a need for strategic land use planning, there is no reason why the rigorous planning and assessment process currently in place can’t continue while strategic land use plans are developed.

We support a practical approach to the challenges ahead, not one that will disadvantage the people of regional NSW that rely on diverse economies where farming, thoroughbred breeding, mining, viticulture and other industries can all prosper.

The Government and the Opposition have both said they do not support a moratorium. Moratoria are impractical and ignore the realities of business and investment. It would be like asking our farmers to stop working the land while the Federal Government undertakes consultation on the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

We local residents & rural land holders are also frustrated. We are frustrated by the fact that there has never been a strategic plan for the Mining expansion other that that they will award mining exploration leases where ever they like with no local consultation or investigations on the impacts or even notifying those effected it is happening. We are also frustrated by the fact we are thrown of our land and the land ripped up and rendered useless after a few decades of mineral exploitation. We are also frustrated and angered by the fact that this expansion continues even though guidelines are being developed and we have no way of knowing or checking that any new mining will meet the new guidelines or even be reversable if it doesn't. The practicalities of businesses shouldn't be the governing factors in deciding if a rural area is to be de-populated, the land ripped up and the water resources destroyed.

Frustration has turned to anger regarding these self interested pro mining propaganda statements trying avoid the real issues to avoid a moratorium only appease Mining companies accounts at the permanent loss of rural land & communities.

SHAME!!!

Your logic & analogy regarding the MDB suggestes it would be desireable to protect argi business & investment to continue issuing water allocations while they draw up the strategic plan to govern the allocation of water.

This would be true if the MDB was part of the mining boom and was as one sided in the process of awarding rights and preventing interference in the final approval processes.

But your illogical self interested opinion shows that the mining industry is used to getting it's own way and if it doesn't the NSW Gov. will step in and change the rules so they do regardless of the Social & environmental damage.

The roylaties & fees have blinded the State Gov. to their moral, social & environmental irresponsibity. No one believes the twisted logic, or reasoning OR that money justifies anything. when you drive past the moonscapes, the many empty farm houses that the friends that were forced to leave used to live in, or see the clouds of dust blowing over the countyside or see the irrigation farms sitting idle with the water piped off to mines you understand what mining is really about and it isn't JUST business, investment or lines on maps.

MORATORIUM NOW.