Cullen Bullen is another town that has been in the news lately. There is opposition to the expansion of the nearby open cut coal mine - dust, destruction of native forest, water quality and lifestyle seem to be the issues.
It's a small town (300 people) sustained by mining. I would have thought increased work opportunities would have been of interest. The owner of the Royal Hotel was certainly in support of the proposition on the TV the other night.
See more of Cullen Bullen at 100 Towns.
Just a little background! http://thecastlereagh.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/coalminer-passing-by.html
ReplyDeleteHey it's great to have your link Ray. I didn't know you had started that blog, I will put it on my blog roll so I can follow along with your posts.
DeleteI guess it might come down to whether you have to live in CB because that is all you can afford, or whether you live in CB because you were born in the area, or whether you chose to live in CB because of the lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to find a balance between job creation, producing/extracting resources, and conservation. Julie is right that there would be more support of mining if more jobs are needed, but since Bathurst/Blayney/Lithgow/Orange isn't since a long way away, perhaps the people in the area are commuting to work already.
ReplyDeleteYes balance is the problem. I am generally not as resistant to mining as some for the economic benefits but then I am also a big fan or our natural environment.
DeleteI don't know enough about the issues in this case to make a call one way or the other.
I think it's best for locals to decide their fates...
ReplyDeleteBut locals, especially locals in country towns, can be very resistant to change.
DeleteI remember the hoo-haa in the country town of my birth when a coal mine and power station came their way. There are STRANGERS in the town they decried.
But it revived the place and I doubt there is a single person today who wishes it wasn't there.
Very important issues on discussion over there.
ReplyDelete