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Mr GEORGE SOURIS (Upper Hunter) [5.45 p.m.]: I express my support for constituents in the Gloucester area who, without much warning, awoke one day and encountered the prospect of coalmining exploration activities taking place in the immediate proximity of the Gloucester township. Gloucester Resources Limited holds coalmining exploration licence Nos 6523, 6524 and 6563. There has been considerable adverse reaction in the local community against the prospect of coalmining occurring at such close proximity to the township. Understandably many people are cynical about exploration activity occurring just when the company's coalmining exploration licences are due to expire and the company is seeking renewal.

I am surprised that a government could contemplate coalmining activities taking place so close to a township as proposed by the exploration areas referred to in the licences. In response to community concern, the Mayor of Gloucester organised a petition against renewal of the exploration licences. Accompanied by the mayor, Mr Graeme Healy and Mr Gary Ferris, I attended the launch of a community campaign on 24 January 2009. Subsequently a public meeting was held in Gloucester. The Newcastle Herald reported that 850 people attended the meeting, but the local headcount is closer to 1,000. The community is unanimously and anxiously opposed to the prospect of exploration activity as well as the renewal of exploration licences that may result in highly visible coalmining taking place in the immediate proximity of the Gloucester township.

I intend to table in the House a petition with approximately 1,000 signatures, which is a very large number of signatures gathered from a relatively small community in a relatively short period. As it is my duty to represent the views of my constituents, I seek the indulgence of the House to refer to the petition to inform the House of the community's concerns and the issues that have led to a unified outcry of opposition to the licence renewal proposal. The community gathered at a public meeting in unprecedented numbers and in a short period organised a petition with a large number of signatures. There is considerable community concern that the acquisition of land and the exploration activity that is occurring are in close proximity to the township of Gloucester. The petition states:

3. The possibility that future mining will occur in such close proximity to the township and closely settled areas is creating great anxiety and uncertainty and will undermine the development and growth of businesses.

4. Gloucester with its scenic outlook and beautiful rivers is the gateway to the World Heritage listed Barrington Tops. Tourism to our area contributed $28 million to the local economy last year and has been growing strongly for many years now. This long-term sustainable industry is now under threat.

5. Future mining within the boundaries [of these explorations] will seriously damage the scenic and social features that define the character and appeal of the region.

From my observations the words used by the petitioners do not exaggerate the situation. As the local member I know exactly how much interest there is in this issue as I have received a surprisingly considerable number of emails and telephone calls about it. Given the size of the public meeting and the large number of signatures on the petition that I am about to lodge, many people in the Gloucester area fear that mining will occur in close proximity to their beautiful town and district.