This photo shows the Warkworth open cut coal mine. Comments follow the photo.
When do locals have the right to object to developments like this? It’s a real question.
At one level, of course they do. We live in a democracy, don't we? But what happens when local protests including legal and political action get to the point that they stall a development, when the Government is forced to change the rules? The issue in this case is the extension of the mine towards the little village of Broke in the Hunter Valley.
Don’t get me wrong. I support development. However, the questions that I have posed a number of time on this blog include who pays, who gains, how do we compensate? If the little village of Broke effectively vanishes as a result of mine extension, how do we compensate? Just a question.
13 comments:
As always, they will find a way to waive the rules, because nobody's interests matter at all in this country, other than the companies making contributions to the campaigns of the politicians. Please don't insult our intelligence by pretending otherwise.
First time I've seen a great big hole in the ground referred to as 'development'. But then, that just follows on from my surprise that our use of mobile phones actually contributes positively to our GDP.
You economists are a funny lot!
kvd
And a very good question too.
I take your point even though coal is an outdated resource.
Those who are asked (or made) to sacrifice for the benefit of all should be compensated by those who benefit. And with the small number usually involved the compensation could easily be individually tailored.
It's not just contributions, anon. Mines mean money, royalties and taxes, that can then be spent. In the case of the Hunter, it's $1.2 billion or so per annum in mining royalties, very little of which came back to the Hunter.
We economists are indeed, kvd. Dig a hole and fill it in is production. Still, I wish their were a few more economists around in Gov agencies. We can at least analyse.
Evan, coal is not as outdated as all that just yet. Yes, the compensation could be individually tailored, although that wouldn't work all the time. But it requires a different mind set.
Wonderful!
So, our present solution for decline in productivity, and unemployment, is to assign all un/der-employed persons to dig a bloody big hole - and then to fill it in. Why didn't I think of that? You guys are just so...
Evan, there's a very good reason why these holes are called 'mine'.
kvd
Well said mvd!
There is no conceivable compensation for an open-cut mine as obscene as that thing is -- and its cognates. Let's not even pretend there is. At least down here in Illawarra our holes are comparatively discreet.
I think that I might pass on this one. The reason for the proposed pit expansion is the expectation that it will make money. This justifies investment and provides a further income stream.
Digging a hole and filling it in may increase GDP, but it doesn't contribute to further production.
When I was a kid growing up in Lithgow, one of the bestest times was a birthday party at Wallerawang, with the son of one of the managers of that installation. We got to play in the open pit, which has now disappeared under water - but still looks sort of ok if you ignore what a rape it was/is:
http://www.lithgowenvironment.org/uploads/2/0/4/1/20411841/1237448_orig.jpg?450
http://www.portland-nsw.com/files/General-Images/Wallerawang/AboutWang/Wallerawang_Power_Station_2.jpg
That water view was our playground, except you have to imagine 90 feet down, and no water, and lots of smoke.
What is wrong with kids these days?
kvd
Loved the photos, kvd. My thanks.
Jim, I wonder if you or any reader can assist?
I was using Google Maps to look at Broke, then I went to Wallerawang, which is very near Marangaroo (my father's last Army command) and stumbled upon an intriguing development between the two:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Wallerawang+NSW+2845/@-33.434337,150.1192148,2823m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x6b1207ee118b7e21:0x40609b490436df0
The old army base is in the bottom right corner, and Wallerawang is just off the map on top left - but what is the 'very geometric' development I have tried to centre in the image?
Zooming in, it looks like some sort of sporting complex, but anyway - any explanation would be gratefully accepted.
kvd
ps on your writings: I suggest a good title for your first Hunter Valley novel could be "Down and Out in Broke". Has a ring to it ;)
Sorry - another look, another view; it's a prison!
kvd
It is indeed a prison, kvd, the Lithgow Correctional Centre.http://www.correctiveservices.nsw.gov.au/offender-management/correctional-centres/lithgow.
Like the title. Just a wee difficulty with the plot!
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