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		<title>Wollombi Valley Against Gas Extraction News</title>
		<description>News from WAGE</description>
		<link>http://wage.org.au/news/</link>
		<copyright>Wollombi Valley Against Gas Extraction</copyright>
		<lastBuildDate>Sat, 19 May 2012 06:30 +1100</lastBuildDate>
		<language>en</language>
		
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			<title>Gas protesters join coal debate</title>
			<description><![CDATA[REGIONAL coal seam gas opponents have joined the fight to save the Bulga and Milbrodale communities from open-cut coalmining.
Spokesman Graeme Gibson confirmed yesterday that the Hunter Valley Protection Alliance would do all it could to support communities opposed to the $600million expansion of the Mount Thorley Warkworth pit.

The state government&#39;s planning assessment commission approved the open-cut expansion last week despite widespread opposition from the residents and Singleton Council having unanimously rejected it four times.

The Bulga Milbrodale Progress Association immediately responded by briefing Environmental Defenders Office solicitors for a Land and Environment Court appeal.

Mr Gibson said: "The protection alliance made a written submission against the Warkworth expansion to Planning Minister Brad Hazzard, and members of our group also made individual representations.]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/z8rVhA</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:47 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7925</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Singleton Argus]]></author>
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			<title>Bulga women want out</title>
			<description><![CDATA[NOT everyone in Bulga wants to fight the $600million Warkworth open-cut coalmine expansion.
Three residents told The Argus yesterday, they wanted compensation now for "horrendous" impacts they&#39;ve endured for years.

Danielle Hanson, Nerida Lepisto and Toni Silk said coalmining had divided the Bulga community, some people wanted to get out immediately, some wanted to fight on and some accepted the situation.

"We&#39;re sick of it, we&#39;ve complained for more than two years about noise, dust and blasting vibrations from current operations and it just continues," said Mrs Hanson.

"It&#39;s mainly Coal and Allied&#39;s Warkworth open-cut, but there&#39;s also Peabody&#39;s Wambo and Xstrata&#39;s Bulga mine.]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/xwwWXa</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:44 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7926</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Singleton Argus]]></author>
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			<title>Council considers vineyard CSG ban</title>
			<description><![CDATA[Cessnock Councillors are being asked to support moves to have coal seam gas exploration banned in the vineyard district of the Lower Hunter.

A report to tonight&#39;s council meeting says the operations of gas company AGL in the Broke and Bulga area have illustrated the close proximity of the industry to the local government area.

The report recommends writing to the Minister for Resources and Energy and asking that the vineyard district be excluded from CSG exploration by gazettal.]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/yLh0eo</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 15 Feb 2012 06:14 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7905</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[ABC Newcastle]]></author>
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			<title>Public&#39;s chance to comment on exploration too slow</title>
			<description><![CDATA[THE state government says guidelines for public comment on exploration licence applications will be available later this month, but it has been criticised for not moving faster to give communities a promised say.
As well, it has emerged a ban on the use of a controversial coal seam gas drilling process called fracking that the government announced in July has not been formally extended to pre-approved activities.

Twenty-one petroleum exploration licences, required for coal seam gas exploration, are awaiting renewal, including three lodged before last year&#39;s state election, but remain in effect.

Among the recent renewal applications are those for AGL Energy&#39;s licences 267 and 4, which cover from Lake Macquarie to the Upper Hunter and take in the vineyards.]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/wrcjlW</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:00 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7888</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Michelle Harris (The Herald)]]></author>
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			<title>Bulga residents vow to battle mine</title>
			<description><![CDATA[THE Bulga and Milbrodale communities feel betrayed by this week&#39;s approval of the $600million Warkworth open-cut coalmine expansion.
Residents who spoke to The Argus said the state government assessment appeared to be "a done deal" and planning assessment commission appraisal was just "public window dressing".

Despite this, residents are not only determined to fight on, they have an underlying confidence of success.

On the other hand, a spokesman for the development company Graham Witherspoon of Rio Tinto, said: "This project has been subject to a rigorous two and a half year assessment, taking into account both its impacts and significant benefits.

"We recognise that members of the community have ongoing concerns and we will continue to work with them to minimise our impacts as much as possible."]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/wcOQRk</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:48 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7866</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Paul Maguire (Singleton Argus)]]></author>
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			<title>Why the rush</title>
			<description><![CDATA[ONLY a week ago the federal government announced the appointment of a highly qualified expert scientific committee to investigate coal seam gas and large coalmining applications.
This appointment clearly recognised the need to independently analyse the impact of expansive open-cut mining.

Within days we hear the Mount Thorley-Warkworth expansion has been approved. This mine was sanctioned by the state government but because of community concern, was referred to a planning assessment commission for final determination.

Yesterday the commission said yes in news that came as a shock, especially on the back of last year&#39;s refusal of the Ashton expansion on grounds of noise and dust impacts.]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/y6Lkuh</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:13 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7816</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Di Sneddon (Singleton Argus)]]></author>
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			<title>Gas moves in on Army land</title>
			<description><![CDATA[OFFICIALS of the coal seam gas company AGL Energy have been slammed for applying to explore Singleton army base for methane mining.
Hunter Valley Protection Alliance spokesman, Graeme Gibson, said; "It&#39;s exploration by stealth.

"Trying to explore on Commonwealth land, such as the army base, is excluded under the company&#39;s licence and there&#39;s been no community consultation about it.

"Either there is a secret understanding between AGL officials and the state government or they&#39;re willing to bet millions of dollars that government ministers were bald-faced liars when they made pre-election promises to protect the Hunter Valley&#39;s wine growing region from coal seam gas mining."

Mr Gibson said his group found out about AGL&#39;s army base application by accident when a member of the community went to the defence department&#39;s internet website looking for information on another subject.]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/zwKpoZ</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:51 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7813</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Paul Maguire (Singleton Argus)]]></author>
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			<title>Warkworth mining expansion approved</title>
			<description><![CDATA[COAL &amp; Allieds Warkworth coal mine extension has been approved by the Planning Assessment Commission (PAC).

Already the Bulga Milbrodale Progress Association has indicated it will appeal the decision in the Land and Environment Court.

A meeting later this week will determine if class action will be taken against the minister for planning and Coal &amp; Allied for allegedly dishonouring the deed of agreement from 2003 which protected the area.


Coal &amp; Allied has welcomed the approval. Mount Thorley Warkworth General Manager Operations Cam Halfpenny said the extension is critical to ongoing operations at the mine, which has been an important part of the region&#39;s economy since 1981.]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/wjyi6a</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:06 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7806</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Singleton Argus]]></author>
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			<title>Hunter gas plans to go public</title>
			<description><![CDATA[GAS explorer AGL&#39;s Hunter Gas Project will be be under public scrutiny today when the company reveals is latest exploration plans.
AGL proposes two-dimensional seismic exploration in sections of two large licence areas extending from Raymond Terrace and Lake Macquarie to Merriwa in the Upper Hunter.

The chosen sites are concentrated between Cessnock, Broke and Singleton and around Scone.

AGL said seismic exploration used sound waves to create a map of the structures beneath the earth&#39;s surface. Geologists and geophysicists interpret the data for possible gas reserves and develop a plan for exploration drilling.

AGL said it was"non-intrusive" and planned to start in autumn.

The public information session will begin at midday and will be held at AGL offices in John Street, Singleton.]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/xqjCa6</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:00 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7685</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Frances Thompson (The Herald)]]></author>
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			<title>Coal hard facts</title>
			<description><![CDATA[Lee Rhiannon has no doubt the side effects of coal mining are floating downstream to Maitland farmers.
But the Greens Senator from NSW is calling for a study to measure how coal mining impacts on the Hunter River.

And she wants it done before any new coal mines are approved for the region.

Senator Rhiannon embarked on a two-day tour of the mid-Hunter on Thursday to meet with landholders affected by coal mining around Singleton, Camberwell, Bulga and Jerrys Plains. She said when it came to coal mining and the Hunter River, the issues were not confined to one area.

"One thing we&#39;ve been asked about, and what we&#39;ll be calling for, is a regional water study for the current mines," she said.]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/y6BIyS</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 20 Jan 2012 04:00 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7625</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Briony Snedden (Maitland Mercury)]]></author>
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			<title>(Video) Coal Seam Gas Concerns</title>
			<description><![CDATA[The state government remains open to AGL exploring for gas in the Hunter Valley, despite desperate calls from farmers.

AGL&#39;s current exploration licence expires tomorrow, and agriculturalists want MPs to come good, on a pre-election promise.]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/xlPjJu</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:17 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7608</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[NBN News]]></author>
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			<title>Gas&#39;s seep recognised</title>
			<description><![CDATA[ENERGY Minister Chris Hartcher has acknowledged coal seam gas exploration is a potentially divisive issue for some Hunter communities.
&#39;&#39;The NSW government recognises the concerns of some communities affected by coal seam gas exploration and would encourage concerned parties to work together,&#39;&#39; he said yesterday. Mr Hartcher&#39;s comments follow a report in Saturday&#39;s Newcastle Herald highlighting the rifts that are appearing in Hunter communities affected by the coal seam gas industry.

Some individuals have reported malicious property damage after signing gas exploration agreements. Many are looking to the government&#39;s forthcoming strategic Hunter land use policy to clarify which areas will be open to future gas and mining activity.]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/wP2Xw4</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:00 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7571</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Matthew Kelly (The Herald)]]></author>
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			<title>Tinkler tailors French ties</title>
			<description><![CDATA[This Hunter Valley winemaker is proving that exploration can bring big discoveries.

The death of David Clarke in April was a great loss to the Hunter Valley wine industry, where his Poole&#39;s Rock Winery was a leader. The winery was sold to the Agnew family, owners of Hunter vineyard Audrey Wilkinson, while its original vineyard, in the Hunter&#39;s Broke-Fordwich sub-region, was sold to AGL. The gas company is controversially exploring for coal seam gas in the area.]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/y0w8dw</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7573</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Huon Hooke (SMH)]]></author>
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			<title>Winemakers put heat on O&#39;Farrell</title>
			<description><![CDATA[HUNTER wine industry leaders say they hold Premier Barry O&#39;Farrell accountable for a "promise" they said he made before the 2011 election to protect vineyards by removing them from coal seam gas exploration areas.
Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association president Andrew Margan said the verbal assurance was made during a formal meeting with Mr O&#39;Farrell, Nationals leader Andrew Stoner, present Planning Minister Brad Hazzard and Environment Minister Robyn Parker in November 2010.

"A number of promises were made at the meeting; money to fix Broke and McDonald roads [in the vineyards] . . . and to excise coal seam gas out of declared areas of viticulture in the Lower Hunter," Mr Margan said.]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/ysfV0o</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 16 Jan 2012 04:00 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7565</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Frances Thompson (The Herald)]]></author>
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			<title>Attend the AGL meeting</title>
			<description><![CDATA[AGL will hold public meetings to outline its plans for seismic studies and exploration in the Hunter Valley.
Given Singleton is within this area of exploration, any resident who is concerned about the impacts should attend these meetings and keep informed.

Much is being said and written about coal seam gas exploration.

The process is complicated and controversial. Reports of the impacts and experiences from other areas in Australia and throughout the world are adding to the debate.]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/wgh5w4</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:21 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7519</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Di Sneddon (Singleton Argus)]]></author>
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			<title>Meetings will reveal all on gas</title>
			<description><![CDATA[THE gas company, AGL, will hold a series of information sessions in coming months to provide the public with information about its proposed two dimensional (2D) seismic exploration in the Hunter region.
The information sessions, which begin on Tuesday January 24, at AGL&#39;s Singleton Information Centre in John Street, starting from noon, will be attended by AGL staff who will explain what the 2D process involves and answer questions about 2D seismic activities, and in particular what AGL was proposing.

As part of the company&#39;s Hunter gas project, investigating coal seam gas production, AGL will be seeking government approval to conduct 2D seismic exploration.

The timing and location of the 2D seismic exploration would be partly determined from public feedback said AGL&#39;s media manger, Karen Winsbury.]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/yOInP3</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:54 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7517</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Louise Nichols (Singleton Argus)]]></author>
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			<title>Mine cops fine for creek pollution</title>
			<description><![CDATA[The Environment Protection Authority says the polluting of a Cessnock creek could have been avoided by a Hunter Valley coal mine.

The Austar mine has been fined more than $115,000 after wastewater from an onsite septic system seeped into Bellbird Creek in July last year.

The EPA says the incident could have been prevented if Austar had an appropriate system in place to inspect, monitor and maintain the 90 year old septic system.

EPA Regional Manager Graham Clarke says it was not a minor incident.]]></description>
			<link>http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-14/mine-fine-for-polluting-creek/3729942/?site=newcastle&amp;section=news</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:45 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7136</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[ABC Newcastle]]></author>
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			<title>Austar coalmine fined</title>
			<description><![CDATA[THE Chinese-backed Austar underground coalmine near Cessnock has been fined more than $115,000 for a septic tank spill into nearby Bellbird Creek in July last year.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority took Austar to the Land and Environment Court, where the company pleaded guilty.]]></description>
			<link>http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/austar-coalmine-fined/2391624.aspx</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 14 Dec 2011 04:00 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7134</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Ian Kirkwood (The Herald)]]></author>
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			<title>Residents in AGL blockade told to move or be removed</title>
			<description><![CDATA[RESIDENTS blockading a road near Gloucester in opposition to AGL&#39;s coal seam gas operations should move immediately or be removed by police, Gloucester Shire mayor Geoff Slack said yesterday.
The blockade by the Barrington-Gloucester-Stroud Preservation Alliance was established last Monday on a public road at Forbesdale.

The road was the access to AGL&#39;s pilot well-drilling site.

Cr Slack, a solicitor, said the protesters were breaking the law and he had asked the police late last week to remove them.]]></description>
			<link>http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/residents-in-agl-blockade-told-to-move-or-be-removed/2388580.aspx</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 12 Dec 2011 04:00 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7053</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Frances Thomson (The Herald)]]></author>
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			<title>AGL expelled from Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association</title>
			<description><![CDATA[The Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association has moved to expel gas giant AGL from its ranks because of its plans for coal seam gas exploration.

Association President Andrew Margan says AGL was accepted as a member in 2010 on the understanding it wanted to work towards the betterment of the Hunter Valley wine industry.

But Mr Margan says that is clearly not the case and coal seam gas mining does not belong in an iconic wine growing region like the Hunter.]]></description>
			<link>http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-10/agl-expelled-from-hunter-valley-wine-industry-association/3723848/?site=newcastle</link>
			<pubDate>Sat, 10 Dec 2011 08:50 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7062</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[ABC Newcastle]]></author>
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			<title>Vignerons boot AGL</title>
			<description><![CDATA[GAS company AGL says it is disappointed the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association has moved to expel it as a member over its coal seam gas exploration in Pokolbin and Broke.
The company, which bought the Spring Mountain vineyard from former premier Nick Greiner, said yesterday it had been &#39;&#39;strongly supportive of the wine industry&#39;&#39; and had joined the association &#39;&#39;to demonstrate that our industry can coexist with viticulture, agriculture and other land uses&#39;&#39;.

But top Hunter vignerons said they had had enough of the company&#39;s activities and voted recently to kick it out of the association, about a year after it joined.]]></description>
			<link>http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/vignerons-boot-agl/2388042.aspx</link>
			<pubDate>Sat, 10 Dec 2011 04:00 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7061</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Michelle Harris (The Herald)]]></author>
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			<title>Blast dust plume shadows Bulga</title>
			<description><![CDATA[STATE government officials watched an open-cut coalmine explosive blast that sent black smoke and an orange plume about 200 metres into the air near Bulga.
The incident, last Friday, alarmed many residents.

Bulga resident Graeme O&#39;Brien said he was concerned about pollutants that were in the fallout and the fact that the explosion was detonated even though company and government officials believed it was likely to send up an orange cloud.

Representatives of the pit, Bulga Coal, and New South Wales Department of Planning and Infrastructure officials told The Argus yesterday the blast was safe and that the pollution fell back onto the minesite.

Mr O&#39;Brien said: "I can sum that up in one word, &#39;rubbish&#39;.]]></description>
			<link>http://www.singletonargus.com.au/news/local/news/general/blast-dust-plume-shadows-bulga/2382852.aspx?storypage=0</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:49 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/6979</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Paul Maguire (Singleton Argus)]]></author>
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			<title>Bullying the blind?</title>
			<description><![CDATA[Last Tuesday I and a bunch of other people from all walks of life and areas stood in hot sun outside Singleton Court House, or retreated to the shade behind for respite.

We held up home-made signs and chanted ourselves dry while the media recorded our anger and frustration: &#39;No NuCoal!&#39; - &#39;Save our Water, Save our Land!&#39; - &#39;Enough is enough!&#39;

And at one stage, a spontaneous &#39;Where&#39;s George Souris?&#39; chant arose, George being the sitting State National Party MP. (In case you don&#39;t remember, the Nationals used to be the party who looked after rural interests.)]]></description>
			<link>http://sharynmunro.com/?p=3350</link>
			<pubDate>Sat, 03 Dec 2011 10:41 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/6937</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Sharyn Munro - The Woman on the Mountain]]></author>
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			<title>State government could over rule on Wallaby Scrub council decision</title>
			<description><![CDATA[IT seems Singleton Council&#39;s ownership of Wallaby Scrub Road may not stop a $600million expansion of Warkworth open-cut coalmine.
This view is believed to be part of independent legal advice which the council has received from the Sydney firm Marsdens Law.

It is understood that the advice goes on to say that whether the council maintains its opposition to the pit or not, a state government "significant project" declaration would enable the government to take the road and allow it to be mined.

At this stage, details of the advice are not public.]]></description>
			<link>http://www.singletonargus.com.au/news/local/news/general/state-government-could-over-rule-on-wallaby-scrub-council-decision/2379088.aspx</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 02 Dec 2011 10:26 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/6920</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Paul Maguire (Singleton Argus)]]></author>
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			<title>Public meeting not a hearing</title>
			<description><![CDATA[DR Neil Shepherd made the specific point yesterday that the planning assessment commission process for the Warkworth mine expansion was not a hearing.
He said it was a public meeting and that it was important for people to know that if it was a hearing and a determination was made, that the public or the coal company would have no avenue for appeal.

This statement makes this planning assessment commission process even more unclear.

Does this mean that if the commission supports the Department of Planning&#39;s recommendation for approval then the public can appeal the mine&#39;s approval?]]></description>
			<link>http://www.singletonargus.com.au/blogs/voice-of-the-argus/public-meeting-not-a-hearing/2355009.aspx</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:46 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/6605</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Di Snedden (Singleton Argus)]]></author>
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