HUME COAL will be invited to hear the concerns and opinions of Highlands residents in regards to its drilling intentions in the shire.
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After Hume Coal was granted approval to continue exploration drilling in the Southern Highlands, the matter was brought up in last week's Ordinary Meeting of Council.
Councillor Garry Turland successfully moved a motion for council to hold two briefing sessions.
One session with representatives from Hume Coal and relevant council staff members to discuss the matter. A Department of trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services representative will be invited to this briefing session.
Council will also hold a second, public, briefing session with Hume Coal.
Councillor Duncan Gair seconded the motion and said councillors "should be responsible and hear what their (Hume Coal's) intentions are".
"I want to be briefed by Hume Coal," he said.
"That's what we were elected to do and I want to be able to ask questions as a councillor to representatives of Hume Coal.
"Somebody has to be able to answer the community, but if we deny Hume Coal the right to speak to council, all the knowledge that the community is getting is through other sources.
"Hume Coal is not going away.
"It's obvious that they are here for the long haul."
Councillor Holly Campbell also supported the motion because she wanted "the air to be cleared".
"I stand by what I've said in the past, and that is, I'm not interested in long wall mining in this shire," she said.
"In fairness we should allow this to happen because it gives everybody the chance to be updated."
Councillor Larry Whipper opposed the motion and put forward an amendment for council to hold one public briefing session with Hume Coal representatives, council staff and an invitation be sent to the Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services to attend.
Cr Whipper's motion was defeated with only himself and Councillor Jim Clark voting in favour of it.