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Mr GERARD MARTIN: I address my question without notice to the Minister for Mineral Resources. What is the latest information on derelict mine rehabilitation in New South Wales?
Mr KERRY HICKEY: Mining has provided enormous economic benefits to this great State. However, past practices were not regulated as rigorously as they are today. Old mines may have complied with the requirements of the time, but they have left an environmental legacy that is harmful to the reputation of today's industry. The Derelict Mines Program, a State Government initiative, addresses the environmental and safety issues associated with these sites. The program is administered by the Department of Primary Industries, with assistance and expertise provided by the Department of Environment and Conservation, the Department of Lands and the New South Wales Minerals Council. In its last year of government the Coalition spent a mere $125,000 on derelict mines.
I am pleased to advise the House that the Carr Labor Government has allocated almost 14 times that amount—$1.7 million—to the 2004-05 Derelict Mines Program, which has enabled the completion of rehabilitation projects across the State and included $90,272 on erosion control works at the Woodsreef asbestos mine at Barraba, complementing a $200,000 grant from the Environmental Trust; $62,000 on safety and erosion control works at the old goldfields close to the township of Grenfell; $71,342 in the Bathurst electorate on monitoring, earthworks and revegetation at the former Apsley copper mine; and $87,625 at Inverell's Conrad mine, Tingha Common and on project management and rehabilitation planning at Webbs Consol mine near Emmaville and Halls Peak near Armidale.
Currently eight projects are in progress including database site surveys and regional contingency planning across the State, staged remediation works and the old Lake George mine near Captains Flat and the Batlow Development League's walking track. A further seven projects are under contract. Orders have been written and work has commenced, or is about to commence, at old mine sites at Sunny Corner, Trunkey Creek and Wattle Flat in the Bathurst electorate, and to make safe power lines at the Oakdale Colliery site near Camden. Proposed costings have been made available for 10 projects at Tingha, Glen Innes, Emmaville, Hillgrove, Coffs Harbour, Yerranderie, Oakdale, Wolgan Valley and Hill End, where on-ground work or planning has been completed under previous funding rounds.
Minor rehabilitation works will be carried out at numerous sites across the State where safety and environmental issues are a high priority. Today the Government requires all mines to meet strict environmental guidelines and retains substantial security deposits to ensure that all sites are fully rehabilitated when mining is completed. The Government's continuing commitment to the Derelict Mines Program serves to enhance the environment and benefit regional communities through containment of contaminated mine wastes, erosion and sediment controls, revegetation and safety works throughout the State. However, we can all work together to bring about change. In many cases companies no longer exist and cannot be held responsible for derelict mines, which leaves the cost and burden of rehabilitation squarely on the shoulders of the people of New South Wales.
Since becoming Minister I have sat down with the New South Wales Minerals Council and individual companies to discuss how we can work together in the community to rehabilitate these mines. Remember, this in no way implies that they are responsible for these mines. I have been heartened by the response. Industry must continue to consider smarter and more efficient operations to ensure the long-term future of our unique environment. I congratulate the Carr Labor Government on what it has done.