Mid-Western Regional Council mayor Des Kennedy has pleaded with mining executives to keep the region vibrant.
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“I often tell people Mudgee is the nicest coal mining town in Australia,” he said.
Speaking to mining delegates at the Mudgee Mining conference on Monday, Cr Kennedy outlined competitive advantages such as a growing workforce and people deciding to live in the region for the long term.
However he admitted council faced massive challenges in the next five years and beyond.
“About 5000 jobs are expected to be created here in the next five years alone,” Cr Kennedy said.
“Already companies have problems with staff leaving for mining work and labour forces are being stretched.”
Cr Kennedy also said problems were beginning to occur in local schools that are or will be operating at capacity in the near future.
Already companies have problems with staff leaving for mining work and labour forces are being stretched.
The mayor showed two video clips showing how Mudgee has already experienced the effects of mining growth.
The first video showed a couple coming to Mudgee for a luxurious weekend away. Against the background of beautiful scenery and Mudgee icons, the couple spoke about all the problems mining may cause in the region.
The second video showcased a special report from WIN News that aired in May 2011. The report showed both positive and negative effects from mining.
Mudgee Mining conference chair, Bede Boyle, and My Kennedy agreed problems facing the Mid-Western region were difficult to manage yet were also good problems to have.
Cr Kennedy spoke about regional towns such as Warren who were seeing declines in population and how outlying rural areas had the problem of keeping people in their town.