Mining Act review drop-in sessions

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THE state government is hosting drop-in sessions about proposed changes to the state’s mining laws on Friday, October 27.

The first session will be held in the Ascot Theatre, Kadina, 9.30am to 11.30am, and the second in the Maitland Information Centre 2pm4pm.

“People have requested we visit before harvest, so hopefully this date will beat the harvest season,” a spokesperson said.

Yorke Peninsula Land Owners’ Group, which opposes mining on farming land, is against many of the suggested changes.

The group has strongly rejected a suggestion exempt land status for crops be redefined as restricted.

YPLOG argues restricted is a weaker and more ambiguous term than exempt, and could therefore result in farmers’ rights being diluted. The group is also upset about potential changes to allow low-impact exploration closer to dwellings, and a move to allow the Warden’s Court to hear landholder v mining explorer cases. The Warden’s Court lost the right to hear exempt land disputes in 2011, and all cases since have gone before the Environment, Resources and Development Court. Other recommendations YPLOG has rejected include reducing the requirements of explorers to notify landowners about activities, and giving explorers more avenues to share or modify their operations. YPLOG said it is unacceptable for the government to try to change the laws before the next election, and has sought more time for community discussion and debate.

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