In letters sent to the Lithgow Mercury and Lithgow City Council general manager Graeme Faulkner, Springvale Mine’s CFMEU Lodge has criticised Mayor Stephen Lesslie’s public stance on mining. 

The letter, signed by lodge president Curtis Jones, vice president Ben Smith, treasurer Brett Monaghan and secretary Darrin Francis, accused the mayor of engaging in “negative rhetoric” on the mining industry, particularly citing his appearance at the Greens ‘Future after mining’ meeting. 

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

“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…

“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.”

Mayor Stephen Lesslie has defended his record on mining. He said he had been publicly supportive of the industry and was disappointed the lodge’s concerns had not been brought to him directly. 

“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,” he said in a letter written in response.

“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.”

Cr Lesslie extended an invitation to meet with lodge members to confirm his stance.