A Meet the Candidates for the NSW Election organised by the Majors Creek Catchment Guardians Inc was held in Majors Creek last week.
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Labor’s Steve Whan was unable to attend, but The National John Barilaro and The Green Peter Marshall were in attendance, and the topic of processing with cyanide at the Dargues Gold Mine was the only topic for the evening.
The meeting was moderated by Matt Darwon and Jackie French and around 100 people attended.
After an introduction by Matt Darwon, Jackie French gave an account of her dealings with the Department of Planning about the mine and spoke passionately about her own situation living below the mine site. Jackie went on to give a rounding endorsement to Mr Barilaro acknowledging that she should have sought his assistance earlier.
Mr Barilaro said that he has tried very hard to stand up for the community and works to address as many issues as possible..
He said he had “picked a fight with his own government on a number of occasions in order to speak for the community.” He said “Even though jobs are important...it cannot be at the cost of our natural resources and the health of agriculture in the region.”
Mr Barilaro declared he “will not support a mine that uses cyanide on site to process ore.”
Mr Bailaro said that people are “entitled to a process through government that is transparent. “I have not yet seen the modification but will be working to and have been speaking to the Premier to extend whatever public consultation periods necessary, so that the processes are clear of interference. Full scrutiny and environmental assessment is needed. We want a mine that doesn't have cyanide onsite. This is the same as his position in 2011” he said.
Peter Marshall candidate for Greens and Councillor for Palerang said The Greens have made this a specific issue for their campaign. Greens stand up for communities and environmental protection, and work with councils, state and federal governments to ensure integrity and honesty. The Greens believe that Climate Change is the most important issue of all” he said.
Responding to questions Jackie said “the modification needs to be submitted under Part 3A and won’t be known fully until 28 March when all documents to be submitted. We don't know in full what the corporation will submit until the end of this process. Anybody under Part 3A can submit a modification. The department and the minister can review it. They can refuse the modification and ask for a DA but they need to read and evaluate in order to make the decision.”
Asked to confirm the National’s mining policyMr Barilaro said that the Nationals do not have a mining policy however believe it to be part of the economy and is necessary in some ways.”
He said he would “leverage his position as minister for small business in decisions going forward. I have questions about the planning department and we're still looking to make some changes.”
Mr Barilaro added “The premiers eye is on this issue...'This will be an open, transparent and independent process in relation to cyanide and this mine.”
Penny Hayman asked “If both councils (Palerang and Eurobodalla) submit to the Dept of Planning, what weight does that carry?”
Peter Marshall responded that Council can again ask for a bond and request other conditions. The PAC (Planning Assessment commission) can chose how much weight to give council submissions.”
Robyn Clubb raised that Unity Mining is “a company that is trading at less than 1c, and auditors stated that they cast doubt on ability of company to meet its liabilities if it went under.” She said “Auditors calculated 70 million dollars needed but there is only $11 million in bank. How is it feasible that a potentially broke organisation gets to continue. Is there another buyer in the wings and how can we make this more transparent and know what the next company will be?”
Mr Barilaro said “we can't control that issue.”
There are five Candidates on the ballot for Monaro and they have drawn the order on the voting sheet as follows: Steve WHAN Country Labor, Peter MARSHALL The Greens, John BARILARO The Nationals, Leslie DINHAM No Land Tax, Joy HORTON Christian Democratic Party (Fred Nile Group).
The NSW election is on Saturday 28th March.
