Business chamber confusion
I refer to a letter to the editor (Southern Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Industry [SHCCI] SHN 10 April 2017) requesting 190 days for further submissions to the Hume EIS.
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The usual exhibition time for development applications is 30 days. Hume Coal has no objection to the extended exhibition time of 90 days.
One wonders how many of the businesses in the Southern Highlands would support a move to extend the time to assess development applications involving their businesses by more than six times!
The SHCCI leadership wrongly states that SHCCI “ask(s) on behalf of all our membership and the wider community” for additional time.
At a meeting between SHCCI and Hume Coal on February 28, Mr Steve Horton said “you will be treated no differently than any other member”.
It is unfortunate that the SHCCI leadership did not have the courtesy to approach Hume Coal, a member of SHCCI.
It is simply untrue to claim the authors are acting on behalf of all members.
No doubt the authors will be able to provide evidence of communication with all members to support that claim.
As a SHCCI member, Hume Coal is committed to the ideals of the NSW Business Chamber (the umbrella body for local business chambers).
The current leadership of the SHCCI, however, appears confused over its role, whether to support a diverse economy or limit opportunities for both industry, in general, and its own members in particular.
If approved, the Hume Coal project will provide opportunities for local businesses to become suppliers of goods and services.
Already Hume Coal has purchased goods and services from over 100 local businesses.
There will be expanded business opportunities for a wide range of local businesses, including the creation of 34 additional jobs in the immediate local area, over and above the 300 full-time mine jobs.
This is a conservative estimate.
There will be a local benefit of $128m in the immediate area, including an increase in disposable income of $85m – all to the advantage of local businesses that will, in turn, sustain local people with additional spending power in the Southern Highlands.
The SHCCI claims there are greater opportunities in other ventures and Hume Coal supports all efforts to increase opportunities.
The simple reality, however, is that if it makes economic sense to invest in ventures SHCCI has proposed then investment will follow… but there is no evidence of real investment or real jobs.
On the other hand, Hume Coal is ready to invest $860million (including sustaining capital) - this is real money for a real project driving real improvement in living standards that comes from real jobs and a direct injection of funds into real local businesses.
The Hume Coal project, when operational, will be the largest local business contributor to NSW government revenue through royalties, payroll taxes and land tax, used by the state for the funding of hospitals, schools and transport.
It is a great disappointment that the leadership of the Southern Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Industry has misled both its members and the community.
A simple courtesy call or ‘fact check’ on its letter would have avoided publication of a series of misrepresentations and untruths.
Perhaps the SHCCI would be better sticking to creating business opportunities that deliver benefits to its members rather than perpetuating the ‘divisions’ to which the authors refer.
Greig Duncan
Hume Coal Project Director
Anzac legacy
The enduring ANZAC legacy and the ideal of mateship are more important than ever before.
Mateship is an integral part of the Australian identity.
It’s an ideal that defines our nation’s character – this idea of looking out for each other, through the good times and the bad.
The Salvos have served alongside Australian troops in both World Wars and supported them on deployments in Korea and Vietnam. Today, we are present in military bases across the country.
We’ve been there providing support to our troops in their times of need – giving them a hand up and a listening ear in their darkest times.
We recognise the power of mateship and why it’s a vital part of the Australian spirit.
Whether a simple act of kindness or helping someone rebuild after tragedy – mateship is the common thread that unites us and something that will always endure.
As we enter these uncertain times, I encourage all Australians to reflect on the ANZAC spirit and the strength and hope it brings, and remember why mateship is an ideal still worth fighting for.
Lt Colonel Kelvin Pethybridge -Chief Secretary in Charge
The Salvation Army
A time to say thank-you
On Anzac Day we commemorate the anniversary of Australian and New Zealand soldiers landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey, 1915, during the First World War.
It was the start of an eight-month campaign where more than 50,000 Australians are estimated to have fought, some 8,700 lost their lives and almost 18,000 were wounded.
It was the birthplace of the Anzac legend, where Australians forged a reputation for bravery, ingenuity and mateship that has become central to our national character.
These are the traits we respect and honour in every man and woman who has served in defence of our nation.
This year we also continue to commemorate the role of the Australian troops on the Western Front with the Centenary of the Battle of Bullecourt in France and the Battle of Messines in Belgium.
At Polygon Wood, near Ypres in Belgium, there will be a service commemorating the centenary of Australian involvement in the Third Battle of Ypres.
We must never forget that more Australians lost their lives in 1917 due to war than in any other year of our history.
Later this year we will mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Beersheba in Israel.
This year also marks significant anniversaries from the Second World War.
We have already commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Fall of Singapore and the Bombing of Darwin, and later this year we honour the Battle of the Coral Sea, Battle of Milne Bay, Australia’s involvement at El Alamein and the end of the Kokoda campaign.
On Anzac Day we also pay tribute to those members of the Australian Defence Force currently on active service overseas, including in Afghanistan and the Middle East.
So when you see someone wearing medals on the left-hand side of their chest, please shake their hand and say, ‘thank-you for your service’.
We owe our service personnel an immeasurable debt of gratitude.
I encourage everyone to participate in their local Anzac Day commemorations and to say ‘thank-you’ to those who have served our country.