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LITHGOW Council and the general community were this week urged to take a stand against a ‘campaign of lies’ waged by extreme environment groups in their efforts to destroy the mining industry.
Speaking in this week’s meeting Cr Frank Inzitari said mining’s opponents never hesitated to ‘lie to the point of defamation’ in their relentless propaganda campaign.
The comments came following an encouraging report from the local Mining Task Force that indicated brighter prospects ahead for coal after an extended period in the doldrums.
Committee chairman Cr Wayne McAndrew said the prospects for a brighter future for the industry had come from Lithgow’s biggest employer, Centennial Coal.
He said that Centennial’s CEO David Moult had given the task force a review of the industry situation and said that despite claims in some sections of the media the future for coal was again looking brighter.
“He hopes to see us coming out of the current trough in the next 12 to 18 months,” Cr McAndrew said.
“It was a good report on Centennial’s operation.”
But he said Centennial continues to run the gauntlet of campaigns by environmental lobbyists.
He said that despite two previous Planning Assessment Commission findings in support of Springvale Colliery’s extended operation another lobby group had launched legal action earlier this month once again relating to water discharges into the Coxs River.
Cr McAndrew said the court hearing had lasted only one day but there were indications it could be September before the judge hands down her finding.
“These issues were already dealt with at the two PAC hearings but there will still be some nervous employees at the mine.
“So it’s once again an anxious wait for the Springvale work force,” he said.
Also looming is another PAC hearing for Centennial’s Airly mine extension plan.
Airly has had its current permits extended until October.
Deputy Mayor Ray Thompson said another positive development for Centennial was a current joint project with EnergyAustralia which both parties believed would further reduce salinity levels.
It was at this stage that Cr Inzitari called for a greater effort to combat ‘the lies of lobbyists’ that receive an airing in sections of the media.
“It goes on and on and has to be stopped,” he said.
“They write things that are complete lies and propaganda.”
Council and community support was needed to present a strong case to the Land and Environment Court.
“I can not believe they (the environmental lobbyists) get away with their statements without being challenged.
“Some are defamatory.”
Cr Inzitari said that last year’s community rally in support of Springvale was an example of how people power could become involved.