Series 02: Hunter Environment Lobby records, 1990-2012

MLMSS 9656/Boxes 11-17

series

1990-2012

Textual Records, Clippings, Ephemera

1319567

1.20 metres of textual material (7 boxes), some files contain ephemera items - manuscript, printed

Hunter Environment Lobby is an organisation conceived by Martin Fallding as a regionally based organisation to lobby for strategic environmental initiatives in the Hunter Valley, including coal mining, forestry infrastructure projects and transport.

Source:
Library file.

Hunter Environment Lobby (HEL) records, 1990-2012, including minutes of meetings, correspondence, political activities, environmental activities, media releases, submissions to government and conferences.

BOX 11

Minute Book
Includes minutes of all HEL meetings held between June 1992 and December 1994.

Folder 1
1990 to March 1993

Notes from June 1989 outlining steps leading to formation of HEL.
31 August 1989 receipt for printing letterhead paper January 1990 record of meetings leading to interim formation of group. Notes of ideas tor Hunter Regional Environmental Action Plan. Correspondence with Soil Conservation Service regarding tree clearing on Glennies Creek Dam foreshores and a management plan for the foreshores. 1990 draft of HREAP. May 1990 letter from HEL seeking comments on draft HREAP. Letters to Forestry Commission regarding logging of Mt Royal State Forest. 26 June 1990 letter from Forestry Commission outlining current and historical grazing permits in Mt Royal State Forest.
24 September 1990 letter from Forestry Commission advising of public exhibition of EIS for Mt Royal State Forest. 10 June 1990 minutes of meeting to establish a Landcare group in Singleton. 24 June 1992 meeting agrees to establish a formal group. Notice of Mine watch meeting Sept 1992. Sept 1992 copy of second draft of HREAP. North East Forest Alliance letter regarding logging Mt Royal State Forest. Nov 1992 correspondence regarding proposed forestry operations in Mt Royal State Forest. Invitation to Christmas Party and meeting at Lake St Clair December 1992. 20 January 1993 letter to Singleton Council making a submission opposing Mt Owen Coal Mine destruction of Ravensworth State Forest. 8 Feb 1993 media release outlining public meeting and launch of HREAP. 15 Feb 1993 submission to Redballk Power project 19 Feb 1993 meeting to launch HREAP in Maitland. 22 Feb 1993 letter from Minister for Planning regarding approval of logging in Mt Royal State Forest. 26 February 1993 newspaper clipping announcing launch of HREAP at meeting of candidates for federal electorate of Paterson. Miscellaneous papers and newspaper clippings.

Folder 2
March 1993 to December 1993

Papers relating to Minister's rejection of Mt Royal State Forest EIS, including HEL and NEFA. May 1993 letters from Department of Planning and Environment Protection Authority regarding HREAP. April 1993 letters seeking addition of Mt Royal State Forest to Barrington Tops National Park. Correspondence regarding proposed Redbank Power Project. HEL comments on new industry environment policy for coal producers 15 June 1993 letter from Minister for Planning Robert Webster advising of his refusal to determine Mt Royal State Forest logging BIS because it was inadequate. Letters and submissions regarding Roads and Traffic Authority roadside spraying, draft Singleton local environmental plan, national park extensions, logging proposals and management of Glennies Creek Dam foreshores. 30 July 1993 letter from Minister for Land and Water Conservation, George Souris regarding logging in Mt Royal, refusing to rule this out. 6 August 1993 letter from HEL to Minister for Planning demanding preparation of fauna impact statement for Mt Owen Coal Mine proposal. Also correspondence regarding a meeting with the minister. Dec 1993 submission to the commission of inquiry into the Mt Owen Coal Mine. 19 December 1993 letter to Minister for Planning proposing a regional study of remnant native vegetation in the Hunter Valley and habitat corridors. Singleton Council correspondence and reports relating to Mt Owen Coal Mine and miscellaneous newspaper clippings.

BOX 12

Folder 3
Jan 1994 to Dec 1994

17 February 1994 letter from Minister for Planning regarding regional planning for native vegetation. Correspondence from government regarding arrange of environmental concerns raised by HEL. Submissions regarding sand mining at Fern Bay. Correspondence regarding Redbank Power Plant including consent from Singleton Council 22 March 1994. Correspondence on Barrington Tops National Park extensions and Mt Owen Coal Mine. Papers relating to Hunter Catchment Management Trust remnant vegetation project. Newspaper clipping regarding Council objections to wilderness areas. This approval was subject to a court appeal by Greenpeace. HEL also sought carbon offsetting as a condition of consent. 22 Aug 1994 letter from Minister Assisting the Minister for Roads, Wendy Machin regarding offsetting loss of native vegetation from the re-routing of the New England Highway at Belford. Sept 1994 letters from local members regarding making Mt Royal State Forest a national park October 1994 HEL program noted as Mt Royal extensions, Glennies Creek Dam foreshores, remnant native vegetation workshop, HREAP, forum for state election candidates, and a newspaper column. Correspondence regarding $5,000 grant received to run workshop on remnant native vegetation. Correspondence with NSW Government about biodiversity offsets for Belford re-routing of New England Highway. Notes of meeting with Minister for Land and Water Conservation 10 November 1994. Correspondence with Minister for Planning 25 November 1994 about enforcement of development consent conditions. Correspondence to government about cumulative impacts of coal mining, and media release government about cumulative impact study of Upper Hunter, Dec 1994

Folder 4
Jan 1995 to Dec 1996

HEL correspondence regarding a number of coal mining proposals; draft local environmental plan for development in Cessnock LGA. Letter from Minister for Land and Water Conservation 25 January1995 regarding logging in Mt Royal State Forest Letters from Minister for Planning regarding Mt Owen Mine approval and regional flora and fauna corridors. Letters regarding management of Macquarie Marshes. 1995 NSW state election candidate questionnaire responses. HEL flier with proposed extensions to Barrington Tops National Park at Mt Royal. Documents relating to incorporation of HEL. Letter 8 June 1995 from Pam Allen, new Minister for Environment in relation to meeting to discuss extensions to Barrington Tops National Park. Submissions regarding sandmining in Stockton Bight, and proposed amendments to Hunter Regional Environmental Plan.

HEL letter 18 August 1995 congratulating Kim Yeadon Minister for Land and Water Conservation on introduction of native vegetation clearing controls in NSW, and other matters. Includes Mt Thorley Coal Loader, Rix's Creek, Warkworth Mine, Glendell, and others. State Environmental Planning Policy 46 controlling clearing was initiated by the NSW Government following the HEL Native Vegetation and Biodiversity Forum in Singleton.

Submission regarding draft Hunter Valley Strategic Water Management Plan Submission Sept 1995 regarding F3 Freeway link to Branxton. Correspondence from Maitland Council regarding Urban Bushland Study. Notes of HEL environmental futures meeting 11 Feb 1996. Correspondence regarding Gloucester and Chichester State Forests. Letter from Department of Urban Affairs and Planning. 18 Sept 1996 advising that Hunter Catchment Management Trust commenced survey of remnant native vegetation in Hunter Valley. Correspondence regarding coordinated land use planning for Lower Hunter. Miscellaneous newspaper clippings. HEL constitution. Led to Lower Hunter Regional Environmental Strategy (REMS).

BOX 13

Folder 5
1997 to 1999

Letter 11 February 1997 with minutes of Mt Owen Mine Advisory Group. Correspondence regarding fauna impact study in relation to F3 Freeway link proposal to Branxton. Lake St Clair management proposals made to Hunter Catchment Management Trust. Background information relating to Hunter Environmental Futures 2 meeting 5 April 1997. Correspondence with Lord Mayor of Newcastle regarding environmental Futures. Correspondence from Minister for the Environment 22 July 1997 regarding regional biodiversity conservation in the Hunter Valley. Correspondence regarding amendment of Glendell Mine development consent. Correspondence regarding establishment of Hunter
River Management Committee. 25 October 1997 submission to inquiry into future Hunter Region employment and business opportunities. Miscellaneous submissions including regarding urban growth in Newcastle, Mt Thorley rail line extension, Kayuga Mine, Mt Pleasant Coal Mine, regional waste dumps, Donaldson Mine Copy of Glenllies Creek Dam Act and agreement made between Department of Water Resources and the Electricity Commission for the Bayswater Power Station Water Supply. HEL membership list 1998. Miscellaneous draft government documents for public comment. HEL was invited to have a representative on this state government appointed committee. HEL proposes construction of Cockle Creek – Kurri Kurri - Maitland rail connection.

Folder 6
2000 to 2002

Correspondence with NSW Government regarding Hunter Regional Vegetation Committee. Letters to Singleton Council regarding roadside vegetation management. Correspondence relating to wildlife management at Mt Owen Mine at Ravensworth. Correspondence relating to proposed Ravensworth waste disposal facility. Letters from EPA regarding Hunter Salinity Trading Scheme. Submissions regarding native forest protection. Submission regarding quarry at Warkworth and protection of Warkworth Sands Woodland. Submissions on Hunter Employment Zone and Hunter Catchment Blueprint. Envelope with maps and background material relating to Warkworth Sands Woodland and proposed nature reserve reference information from National Parks and Wildlife Service.

BOX 14

Folder 7
2003 to 2004

Correspondence relating to Redbank 2 power plant, transmission lines, Wambo
Coal mine rail infrastructure, Bulga Coal Mine approval. Meeting minutes. Regional Forum 2004 invitations, registrations and attendance. Various correspondence from NSW Government ministers. Includes subpoena for documents relating to dispute between Redbank Power and Energy Australia. Towarri Nature Reserve Plan of Management letters Copies of Newcastle Herald opinion articles by HEL, and miscellaneous newspaper clippings. Newcastle Green Corridor proposal. Miscellaneous documents and reports.

Folder 8
2005 to 2007

Submissions relating to Lower Hunter Regional Strategy. Information relating to mining company community engagement. Report on conservation proposals for Lower Hunter Region. Newspaper clippings. Notes of meetings and financial statements. Coal mining project background information relating to Tillegra Dam. HEL had a representative on the consultative committee in relation to this strategy.

BOX 15

Folder 9
2008 to 2012

Copy of draft water sharing plan. Newcastle – Lake Macquarie Western Region Corridor Strategy. HEL newspaper articles Tillegra Dam information. Coal project newsletters.
Ulan coal mine extension. Land & Environment Court case. HEL initiated a landmark court case to review the merits of approval of the mine extension. NSW Government strategic. Regional Land Use Policy. Liberal & National Party Policy on strategic land use in Upper Hunter Warkworth Mine extension proposal. Upper Hunter Air Quality Monitoring Committee.

Folder 10
HEL Biological Diversity Workshop 1995

Organisational information and documents relating to this workshop. Includes details of funding application, program, papers presented, workshop proceedings, publicity, etc, this workshop was officially opened by Minister for Land and Water Conservation Kim Yeadon, and was influential in the introduction of native vegetation clearing controls in NSW. It set the agenda in relation to remnant native vegetation for the Hunter Region and NSW. Paper by Martin Fallding included a draft State Environmental Planning Policy for bushland in rural areas which subsequently was used as a basis for State Environmental Planning Policy No 46 which was introduced by the NSW Government to regulate clearing of native vegetation.

BOX 16

Folder 11
HEL Workshop May 2000

Workshop on vegetation management and biodiversity conservation in the Hunter
Region. Sought to set agenda for a regional vegetation management plan for the Hunter. Includes organizational information, program, proceedings and documents relating to this workshop.

Folder 12
Hunter Regional Forum Sept 2003

Information relating to Hunter Region Forum 2003: Our Hunter - Our Future. Let to Maitland Statement and 10 Point Plan. Includes organizational information, program, proceedings and documents relating to this forum. Also newspaper clippings and miscellaneous documents.

Folder 13
2011 Community Forum: Coal Mining and the Community

Background information and flier relating to a forum held on 20 May 2011 in Singleton, Coal Mining & the Community: Setting the Agenda. Led to the formulation of a set of proposed policies for coal mining which were subsequently adopted by HEL and other regional groups.

BOX 17

Folder 14

Folder Mo-1 Mount Owen Mine 1993
Includes government correspondence and documents relating to the development application for the Mt Owen Coal Mine in the Hunter Valley, and submission by HEL to the Commission of Inquiry into the project, which HEL initiated. This was the first coal mine in NSW where biodiversity issues were seriously considered and were a factor in the determination of the development. HEL subsequently became a member of the Mt Owen Mine Flora and Fauna Advisory Group from 1994 until 2012 and which is ongoing.

Folder 15

Folder Mo-2 Mount Owen Mine 1994 to 1996
Includes Commission of Inquiry documents relating to the approval of the Mt Owen Coal Mine, and government correspondence and documents relating to the flora and fauna advisory group.

Folder 16

Folder Mo-3 Mount Owen Mine 2004
Includes documents relating to second Commission of Inquiry relating to the amendment of the consent and extension of the mine.

Restricted: Prior approval from donor is required for access. Any requests for access will be referred to donor by the Head of Manuscripts.
For access to this collection please submit your request through Ask a Librarian

Copyright status:: In copyright
Reproduction Restricted: No access, copying or reproduction without Martin Fallding permission while copyright is still retained by Martin Fallding or the Hunter Environment Lobby group

Folder numbering in boxes 11-17 has been maintained as from the donor and original order of collection