I was surprised to receive the letter from the Springvale Mine CFMEU lodge and the comments made in that letter, given my very public stance in support of the Springvale Mine which has included sworn affidavits by me at the request of Springvale Mine Management.
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As Mayor of Lithgow I have spoken at two Planning and Assessment Commission (PAC) hearings in support of the coal mining industry in Lithgow and I will continue to advocate the continuation of coal mining in the Lithgow and other areas until such time as a suitable alternative capable of providing employment for all existing mine employees is found.
I also recently provided an affidavit for Centennial Coal which was presented in evidence at the recent Court of Appeal hearings.
I am fully aware that Mt Piper supplies 15 per cent of NSW base electricity load and without this contribution the lights in NSW would go out. I am also aware of the uncertainty in the coal fired powered generation Industry caused by an absence of Government policy currently.
It is disappointing that the Springvale Mine CFMEU Lodge has never contacted me to discuss any matter, however I am happy to meet with them to further confirm my stance on this issue.
Indeed their letter attacking me was not even written to me but to the Council's General Manager.
How can my actions outlined above in support of the coal mining industry in Lithgow be seen as an “overwhelming desire to see the coal mining industry in Lithgow shut down”?
Stephen Lesslie
Mayor of Lithgow