Barrington-Gloucester-Stroud Preservation Alliance
On Thursday, 8th June, 2006 concerned citizens and community group representatives met at the Gloucester Soldiers Club auditorium for what was to prove to be the foundation meeting of the Barrington-Gloucester-Stroud Preservation Alliance. The meeting expressed grave concerns regarding the effects of proposed mining activities in the region.
At that time multiple overlapping exploration licences for coal, gas, rubies and gold were being granted by the NSW Government.
One coal company had already begun operations in 1995, a so called “boutique” mine, next to the village of Stratford, about 11 kilometres south of Gloucester Township.
A steering committee was elected to draft aims and a constitution, and the BGSPA was registered as an incorporated non-profit community association, with membership open to individuals and to other community groups.
The mining situation has continued to worsen. The “boutique” mine has expanded to the north, devouring several square kilometres of former grazing land, and is set to move south to the village of Craven around 2012. Gloucester Coal now has another operation at Duralie, south of Wards River, with a rail link to Stratford. A second company, Gloucester Resources Ltd, has been granted a coal exploration licence surrounding Gloucester township on three sides. The chairman, Mr Keith Ross, has stated that he “will mine as close to the town as he is allowed”.
AGL, which took over gas exploration from Lucas in 2008, has proven commercially exploitable methane reserves in the Valley, and has been granted planning approval to develop these. In addition, there are at least three active gold exploration licences, a ruby licence, two geothermal prospectors, and a proposed magnetite mine.
The Mayor of Gloucester, Geoff Slack, announced at his election in 2009 that his vision for Gloucester was to set up a heavy industrial site at Stratford. In that year Council staff used government grants to develop a plan for the “Stratford Industrial Park” which is sited on land belonging to Gloucester Coal*. The intention is to attract heavy industries which can take advantage of by-products from coal and gas production. The AGL Gas Compression Plant will be built close to the Coal Handling and Preparation Plant already operating at Stratford.
The BGSP Alliance has been engaging with these companies, Gloucester and Great Lakes Councils, government departments and ministers in an effort to save this beautiful and productive valley, which is valued for its history, unique scenery, and an ever growing tourist industry. We liaise with like organizations, including Johnson’s Creek Conservation Committee, GRIP (Gloucester Residents in Partnership) which targets Gloucester Resources Ltd’s current coal exploration, Ironstone Community Action Group, Rivers SOS and the newly formed Lock the Gate Alliance.
We have shared in a couple of successes. Barrington Tops was saved from extensive ruby mining exploration, though this cannot be said to be a permanent win. Some conditions on water discharge have been hard fought for, won, only to be subsequently overturned. Our new challenge is the news (22/02/2011) of the NSW Government’s consent to the first major coal seam gas development in NSW, here in the Gloucester Valley.
One coal company had already begun operations in 1995, a so called “boutique” mine, next to the village of Stratford, about 11 kilometres south of Gloucester Township.
A steering committee was elected to draft aims and a constitution, and the BGSPA was registered as an incorporated non-profit community association, with membership open to individuals and to other community groups.
The mining situation has continued to worsen. The “boutique” mine has expanded to the north, devouring several square kilometres of former grazing land, and is set to move south to the village of Craven around 2012. Gloucester Coal now has another operation at Duralie, south of Wards River, with a rail link to Stratford. A second company, Gloucester Resources Ltd, has been granted a coal exploration licence surrounding Gloucester township on three sides. The chairman, Mr Keith Ross, has stated that he “will mine as close to the town as he is allowed”.
AGL, which took over gas exploration from Lucas in 2008, has proven commercially exploitable methane reserves in the Valley, and has been granted planning approval to develop these. In addition, there are at least three active gold exploration licences, a ruby licence, two geothermal prospectors, and a proposed magnetite mine.
The Mayor of Gloucester, Geoff Slack, announced at his election in 2009 that his vision for Gloucester was to set up a heavy industrial site at Stratford. In that year Council staff used government grants to develop a plan for the “Stratford Industrial Park” which is sited on land belonging to Gloucester Coal*. The intention is to attract heavy industries which can take advantage of by-products from coal and gas production. The AGL Gas Compression Plant will be built close to the Coal Handling and Preparation Plant already operating at Stratford.
The BGSP Alliance has been engaging with these companies, Gloucester and Great Lakes Councils, government departments and ministers in an effort to save this beautiful and productive valley, which is valued for its history, unique scenery, and an ever growing tourist industry. We liaise with like organizations, including Johnson’s Creek Conservation Committee, GRIP (Gloucester Residents in Partnership) which targets Gloucester Resources Ltd’s current coal exploration, Ironstone Community Action Group, Rivers SOS and the newly formed Lock the Gate Alliance.
We have shared in a couple of successes. Barrington Tops was saved from extensive ruby mining exploration, though this cannot be said to be a permanent win. Some conditions on water discharge have been hard fought for, won, only to be subsequently overturned. Our new challenge is the news (22/02/2011) of the NSW Government’s consent to the first major coal seam gas development in NSW, here in the Gloucester Valley.