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		<title>Wollombi Valley Online News</title>
		<description>News from Wollombi Valley</description>
		<link>http://wollombi.nsw.au/news/</link>
		<copyright>Wollombi Valley Online</copyright>
		<lastBuildDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 17:04 +1100</lastBuildDate>
		<language>en</language>
		
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			<title><![CDATA[From the Mayor's Desk - 1 May 2012]]></title>
			<description><![CDATA[Anzac Day this year was well attended by the community and I have noticed the crowds are growing stronger attending in larger numbers. It is good to see that many of our youth attend this special occasion and they do not forget the contribution that our servicemen and women have made over the years to ensure the safety and well being of our Country and its people.]]></description>
			<link>http://wollombi.nsw.au/news/display/8036</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 01 May 2012 10:50 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wollombi.nsw.au/news/display/8036</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Alison Davey]]></author>
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			<title><![CDATA[Rich Land, Wasteland by Sharyn Munro is now available]]></title>
			<description><![CDATA[The book on how coal is killing Australia]]></description>
			<link>http://wollombi.nsw.au/news/display/8028</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 27 Apr 2012 10:52 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wollombi.nsw.au/news/display/8028</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Carlie Harris]]></author>
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			<title><![CDATA[From the Mayor's Desk - 9 March 2012]]></title>
			<description><![CDATA[A delegation from Cessnock Council and Singleton Council to see The Minister for Planning, the Hon Brad Hazzard MP, re opposition to Coal Seam Gas will take place on Thursday 5 April. Our members of the delegation are the General Manager, Group Leader, Strategy and Sustainability, Mayor, a Councillor, representative from the Wine Industry Association and a member from Wollombi WAGE.]]></description>
			<link>http://wollombi.nsw.au/news/display/8018</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 09 Mar 2012 12:00 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wollombi.nsw.au/news/display/8018</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Alison Davey]]></author>
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			<title><![CDATA[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'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><![CDATA[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'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're sick of it, we've complained for more than two years about noise, dust and blasting vibrations from current operations and it just continues," said Mrs Hanson.

"It's mainly Coal and Allied's Warkworth open-cut, but there's also Peabody's Wambo and Xstrata'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><![CDATA[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'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><![CDATA[Valley Artists Newsletter - February 2012]]></title>
			<description><![CDATA[Looking back at 2011 and information on the next production - K2 - and 2012 Sponsorship.]]></description>
			<link>http://valleyartists.org/news/display/7891</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:50 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://valleyartists.org/news/display/7891</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Janine Oliver]]></author>
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			<title><![CDATA[Public'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's state election, but remain in effect.

Among the recent renewal applications are those for AGL Energy'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><![CDATA[Bulga residents vow to battle mine]]></title>
			<description><![CDATA[THE Bulga and Milbrodale communities feel betrayed by this week'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><![CDATA[From the Mayor's Desk - 8 February 2012]]></title>
			<description><![CDATA[A Mayoral Minute was carried at the Council Meeting on 1 February on Coal Seam Gas Exploration and Mining Activities in the Local Government Area. The resolution reads:-]]></description>
			<link>http://wollombi.nsw.au/news/display/7931</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:41 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wollombi.nsw.au/news/display/7931</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Alison Davey]]></author>
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			<title><![CDATA[Tenders called for Broke Road work]]></title>
			<description><![CDATA[Work is progressing well on plans to upgrade roads in the Hunter wine region, as part of the NSW Government's commitment to provide $20 million across four years.
Nationals Duty MLC for Cessnock, Trevor Khan, said this financial year the NSW Government has allocated $5 million to start work.

"Cessnock City Council will invite tenders this week to upgrade a 700 metre section of Broke Road about 400 metres west of Wine Country Drive at Pokolbin," Mr. Khan said.

"This project will complete the upgrade of Broke Road between Wine Country Drive and McDonalds Road.]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/xTRnY2</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:00 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wollombi.nsw.au/news/display/7834</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[The Advertiser]]></author>
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			<title><![CDATA[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'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><![CDATA[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's exploration by stealth.

"Trying to explore on Commonwealth land, such as the army base, is excluded under the company's licence and there's been no community consultation about it.

"Either there is a secret understanding between AGL officials and the state government or they'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's wine growing region from coal seam gas mining."

Mr Gibson said his group found out about AGL's army base application by accident when a member of the community went to the defence department'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><![CDATA[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'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><![CDATA[LEP Limbo for Wollombi Valley]]></title>
			<description><![CDATA[As Mark Twain famously said, "the reports of my death are grossly exaggerated". So too, it transpires, was the comment in a WVPA Executive Committee article in last month's OON, when we said - "Happily, the new Local Environmental Plan is about to be behind us?.

By press release on 23 December, Cessnock Council and NSW Planning &amp; Infrastructure jointly announced gazettal of Cessnock LEP 2011, and Council's General Manager, Lea Rosser, stated "the gazettal of the LEP would provide certainty for the community in relation to future planning in Cessnock."]]></description>
			<link>http://wollombi.nsw.au/news/display/7885</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:24 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wollombi.nsw.au/news/display/7885</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Paul Flemming]]></author>
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			<title><![CDATA[(Video) Cessnock Council 'Learnt a Lesson' : NBN News]]></title>
			<description><![CDATA[Cessnock Council has welcomed the state government's decision to return its planning powers, saying it's learnt a lesson.

But the local Labor MP says it's too early to scrap the interim planning panel, claiming council is yet to prove itself.]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/xxAX1Y</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:55 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wollombi.nsw.au/news/display/7713</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[NBN News]]></author>
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			<title><![CDATA[Cessnock Councillors back in the drivers seat]]></title>
			<description><![CDATA[Cessnock Council has its full planning powers back, around 18 months after they were taken away. 

The previous Labor Minister for Planning Tony Kelly stripped the council of its powers in August 2010 after concerns were raised about lengthy delays in determining development applications.

A Planning Panel that was put in place was yesterday disbanded.

Greens Councillor James Ryan says the move is long overdue.]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/x4W1a6</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:09 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wollombi.nsw.au/news/display/7710</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[ABC Newcastle]]></author>
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			<title><![CDATA[Cessnock council has the power]]></title>
			<description><![CDATA[PLANNING powers will be returned to Cessnock City Council tomorrow after the state government announced it will scrap the council's planning panel which was appointed in August 2010.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Brad Hazzard said yesterday that the government was disbanding three panels established by the former Labor government at Ku-ring-gai, Wagga Wagga and Cessnock.

Mr Hazzard said the government promised to ensure a new focus by returning local planning powers to communities through their councils.

Cessnock council was stripped of its authority to determine major development applications after former planning minister Tony Kelly appointed a three-person planning panel to assess projects with a value of more than $1 million.]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/Ai6rJP</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:00 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wollombi.nsw.au/news/display/7704</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Donna Sharpe (The Herald)]]></author>
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			<title><![CDATA[Woeful Wollombi Road (Video)]]></title>
			<description><![CDATA[The state of roads in the Hunter has again been thrown into the spotlight by concerned locals.

Wollombi Road is the latest said to be in desperate need of attention.]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/zyrodG</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:56 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wollombi.nsw.au/news/display/7705</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[NBN News]]></author>
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			<title><![CDATA[Hunter gas plans to go public]]></title>
			<description><![CDATA[GAS explorer AGL'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'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><![CDATA[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've been asked about, and what we'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><![CDATA[(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'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><![CDATA[Cessnock LEP approved: Planning controls updated]]></title>
			<description><![CDATA[The Cessnock Local Environmental Plan 2011 has been approved by the NSW Government, updating planning controls that have been in place for more than 20 years.
The Cessnock Development Control Plan (2010) also came into force on December 23, 2011, meaning that all development applications submitted on or after that date will be assessed under the new Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and Development Control Plan (2010) controls.

Development applications that were submitted prior to that date will continue to be assessed under the old LEP 1989 provisions and the old DCP, with due consideration of the new LEP.

"Like all NSW councils, Cessnock was required to prepare a new comprehensive Local Environmental Plan in accordance with a standard format set by the NSW Government," Mayor of Cessnock, Cr. Alison Davey said.

"The preparation of this new LEP involved an extensive consultation process and has taken almost five years to reach gazettal. Its finalisation is most welcome."]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/ya0xir</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:40 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wollombi.nsw.au/news/display/7604</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Cessnock Advertiser]]></author>
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			<title><![CDATA[Gas'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.
''The NSW government recognises the concerns of some communities affected by coal seam gas exploration and would encourage concerned parties to work together,'' he said yesterday. Mr Hartcher's comments follow a report in Saturday'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'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><![CDATA[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'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'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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