We are writing this letter to you on behalf of the entire Springvale Mine CFMEU Lodge, to express our disgust with the Mayor’s continued negative rhetoric toward our industry and livelihood, in particular his comments made at a recent Greens ‘Future after Mining Meeting’.

We as a lodge find his obvious distaste for the mining industry, disheartening to say the least.

We are a large contributor to the local economy, with a majority of our work force residing within the Local Government Area (approx. 77 per cent) and are predominately all rate payers.

We have recently seen the negative effect on the local economy in 2015 when the Springvale’s workforce was stood down for eight weeks, speaking to local business sector the effect of the stand down was felt for a great deal longer.

With this small snapshot of life without Springvale within the local economy, the Mayor even though he was not elected at that point in time should be well informed of what a future in Lithgow without mining would be like.

Our members realise the need for diversification within the Local Government Area for Lithgow to have a viable and prosperous future, but we believe that we are part of that future and would like to see the Mayor put his efforts into attracting new job opportunities to the district, rather than showcasing his distaste for our industry.

Like it or not coal mining will be the backbone of the local economy for many years to come, as anyone with any common sense, or grasp on reality will realise that there is no viable alternative to base load power in this country today that is as cheap and reliable as coal fired power.

It is well documented what a disaster the South Australian power sector has become with their rush towards renewable energy when it is clearly not up to the task of supplying reliable continuous base load power .

The question remains, what has the Mayor achieved towards the diversification of the Lithgow economy within his time in charge?

With what seems to be his overwhelming desire to see the coal industry in Lithgow shutdown, there appears to be little action towards alternative employment opportunities or attracting new enterprise to the local area. Lithgow is still without a viable option for an industrial estate for expansion of industry, unlike our neighbours  in the Bathurst Region.

We appreciate that the task is arduous and that it will take time to create local jobs.

We predominately have remained quiet in regards to criticising the Mayor and council’s effort, but with the continue attack aimed at our workforce and industry as a whole by the Green sector we felt it was imperative that we speak up and question the motive behind the Mayor’s continual negative rhetoric towards our industry, when he is the person that is meant to be a leader and the face of the local community and not criticising its most valuable employment asset.

If the Mayor does not like mining or wants us around in the near future, we suggest that he leaves as we plan to be here for a while to come.

This letter reflects only the views of Springvale CFMEU Lodge and does not purport to portray any views held by Centennial.

Curtis Jones, President

Ben Smith, Vice President

Brett Monaghan, Treasurer

Darrin Francis, Secretary​

​Springvale Mine CFMEU Lodge