A new Taskforce established to determine how communities can reap the greatest benefit from local mining development has held its first meeting in Narrabri on Wednesday at The Crossing Theatre.
The Western NSW Mining and Resource Taskforce will work with Narrabri, Balranald, Bogan and Blayney councils to investigate how mining-affected communities across Western NSW can maximise the social and economic benefits from local mining growth.
In Narrabri’s case, the
priority need is expansion of water and
sewerage infrastructure, the Member for Barwon and Minister for Western NSW Mr Humphries said.
The Western NSW Mining and Resource Taskforce will work with Narrabri, Balranald, Bogan and Blayney councils to investigate how mining-affected communities across Western NSW can maximise the social and economic benefits from local mining growth.
In Narrabri’s case, the
priority need is expansion of water and
sewerage infrastructure, the Member for Barwon and Minister for Western NSW Mr Humphries said.
The Taskforce, chaired by former Bourke Shire Council general manager Geoff Wise, includes members from the Premier and Cabinet, Planning and Infrastructure, and Trade and Investment departments, the Office of Water, regional councils, New England TAFE, NSW Minerals Council, Santos and Newcrest Mining.
The group has held preliminary meetings but the Narrabri meeting was the first with a set agenda.
Narrabri Shire is one of the targeted mining shires, an ‘emerging mining community.’
Mr Humphries said he was keen to see how some of the wealth generated from mining can benefit the communities affected by mining operations.
The Taskforce will undertake a specific study with Broken Hill City Council to inform Western NSW communities about how they can prepare and transition through the life-cycle of mining and resource development.
“The Taskforce trial involving Narrabri and the other councils is for government agencies to work much more closely with the councils particularly around infrastructure and service delivery” said Mr Humphries.
Narrabri Shire’s infrastructure needs are increasing.
“The big issues initially are for water and sewerage expansion” Mr Humphries said.
“There will probably need to be more work done at the airport but we must get the landing strip up first.
“The other issues are around childcare.
“Part of the reason we had the meeting in Narrabri is because Narrabri and Boggabri are now experiencing quite quick growth with families re-locating to the area.
“Boggabri primary school enrolments are up. Narrabri Public School enrolments are up.
“So it is starting to happen - families are relocating.
“The next step, I suspect will be looking at land in the vicinity of Narrabri.”
Narrabri Shire has already received funding from the Resources for Regions program, ($12.3 million for the Narrabri water supply augmentation and $5.9 million for the airport extension and ugrade) and is eligible for further funds in 2014-15.
The Resources for Regions program is designed to fund infrastructure to support growth and productivity in regional mining communities.
“Mining puts extra pressure on everything from schools to hospitals, roads to recreational facilities and housing to childcare services,” NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services Mr Stoner said.
The Minister is urging mining affected regional communities to put up their hand for the Resources for Regions 2014-15 program.
More local government areas (LGAs) are now eligible.
Broken Hill, Cessnock and Maitland LGAs will be able to apply for a total of $89.3 million, along with the already eligible communities of Narrabri, Cobar, Lithgow, Mid-Western Regional, Muswellbrook, Singleton, Newcastle and Wollongong.
The group has held preliminary meetings but the Narrabri meeting was the first with a set agenda.
Narrabri Shire is one of the targeted mining shires, an ‘emerging mining community.’
Mr Humphries said he was keen to see how some of the wealth generated from mining can benefit the communities affected by mining operations.
The Taskforce will undertake a specific study with Broken Hill City Council to inform Western NSW communities about how they can prepare and transition through the life-cycle of mining and resource development.
“The Taskforce trial involving Narrabri and the other councils is for government agencies to work much more closely with the councils particularly around infrastructure and service delivery” said Mr Humphries.
Narrabri Shire’s infrastructure needs are increasing.
“The big issues initially are for water and sewerage expansion” Mr Humphries said.
“There will probably need to be more work done at the airport but we must get the landing strip up first.
“The other issues are around childcare.
“Part of the reason we had the meeting in Narrabri is because Narrabri and Boggabri are now experiencing quite quick growth with families re-locating to the area.
“Boggabri primary school enrolments are up. Narrabri Public School enrolments are up.
“So it is starting to happen - families are relocating.
“The next step, I suspect will be looking at land in the vicinity of Narrabri.”
Narrabri Shire has already received funding from the Resources for Regions program, ($12.3 million for the Narrabri water supply augmentation and $5.9 million for the airport extension and ugrade) and is eligible for further funds in 2014-15.
The Resources for Regions program is designed to fund infrastructure to support growth and productivity in regional mining communities.
“Mining puts extra pressure on everything from schools to hospitals, roads to recreational facilities and housing to childcare services,” NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services Mr Stoner said.
The Minister is urging mining affected regional communities to put up their hand for the Resources for Regions 2014-15 program.
More local government areas (LGAs) are now eligible.
Broken Hill, Cessnock and Maitland LGAs will be able to apply for a total of $89.3 million, along with the already eligible communities of Narrabri, Cobar, Lithgow, Mid-Western Regional, Muswellbrook, Singleton, Newcastle and Wollongong.