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IT was no doubt total coincidence that some of the most senior executives from Centennial Coal’s parent company were in Lithgow on the day the PAC Springvale recommendation was announced.
But it was certainly opportune.
Centennial Coal board members held a board meeting and as part of their regular visits to the area were provided with updates on several of the company’s western operations.
Later at a dinner in the aptly name Crib Room restaurant at Wallerawang’s Black Gold Cabins there was an opportunity for the board members to personally thank Lithgow Council for the ongoing support for the Springvale Mine Extension Project.
Special guests at the function were the CEO of Centennial’s Banpu parent company, Ms Somruedee Somphong (Som) who is also a Centennial director, and Director and Senior Officer Chanin Vongkusolkit.
Som personally thanked Mayor Maree Statham, Deputy Mayor Ray Thompson and general manager Roger Bailey for council’s continuing support.
In what has been a difficult time for the company she acknowledged the disruption to the wider community.
She reaffirmed the company’s commitment to a long term future in the area.
In a major development in the ongoing Springvale drama on the same day the board meeting was taking place the Planning Assessment Commission was again recommending approval for the project.
Member for Bathurst and Local Government Minister Paul Toole had earlier met with the Banpu executives at Parliament House.
“As the owners of Centennial Coal it was encouraging to hear that their investment into the Lithgow area and mining will continue for some time,” Mr Toole said.
“It was even more heartening to be informed on the same day that the Planning Assessment Commission found in their review that the Springvale Mine Extension Project is approvable subject to environmental conditions.”
Mr Toole said that finally there was progress and welcome news for the miners and their families who have been stood down while the process continued beyond key deadlines.
Mr Toole said his advice was that the Department of Planning and Environment must now undertake its final assessment before it once again goes back to the PAC for determination.