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Is auger mining really open cut mining ...?
Alcoa Foundation
Outstanding Community Worker Award
The Alcoa Foundation Outstanding Community Worker Award has been designed by Alcoa Foundation and Our Community to recognise the contribution to the nation's life made by the women and men working in community groups.
In the community sector people work because they're committed to a vision - not so much for money and position. They are not complaining - there are other satisfactions in doing the work that they love, for causes that they believe will make the world a better place - but their work is largely unsung and unrecognised.
The Alcoa Foundation Outstanding Community Worker Award has been created to help redress the balance.
Nominate a community worker for an award - it's a great way of saying thanks.
For more information click here. |
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Posted 11th March 2009
AUGER MINE PROPOSED FOR LAKE MACQUARIE
Centennial Coal proposes to mine coal using auger mining techniques for its new Olstan project adjacent to Awaba, Toronto West and Blackalls Park. It appears the mine would be within 700 metres of Blackalls Park.
Residents in areas within a 10km radius that would be affected by dust include Toronto, Teralba, Boolaroo, Speers Point, Warners Bay, Eleebana, Valentine, Barnsley, Edgeworth, Killingworth, Ryhope, West Wallsend, Argenton, just to mention a few.
For more information read:
Posted 10th March 2009 OPEN DAY ON OPEN CUT IMPACTS Greg Piper, Member for Lake Macquarie, is encouraging the public to take an interest in the auger coal mine proposed for Lake Macquarie. The Centennial Coal Company has proposed the mine, but it must be clarified whether it will avoid the prohibition on new open cut mining contained in State Environmental Planning Policy (Mining, Petroleum Production and Extractive Industries) 2007. According to Mr Piper, the government announced the SEPP immediately after he declared his candidacy for the seat of Lake Macquarie, at a time when there was widespread community concern over the proposed Awaba Open Cut. "The SEPP includes a ban on new open cut mining in the City of Lake Macquarie," said Mr Piper. "This auger mining can't proceed without the excavation of a significant pit. The effects on residential amenity of surrounding suburbs and the potential health risks for residents must be considered." According to Mr Piper, about 70,000 people would have been within the 10km dust hazard zone of the Awaba open cut if it had proceeded. "This new proposal requires an open cut trench before the augering can start and I understand it would be within 700 metres of Blackalls Park" said Mr Piper. "People need to be protected from dangerous mine dust," said Mr Piper. "The SEPP is meant to protect people from the hazards of open cut mining, so this open cut and auger operation must be considered carefully." According to Mr Piper, Centennial Coal will be having an open day at Blackalls Park Public School on Saturday 14 March from 9:30am to 12:30pm. "This mine would affect a lot of people," said Mr Piper. "I encourage anyone living near north Lake Macquarie to go to the open day this Saturday and see what is proposed." "The affected suburbs within a 10km radius would even include Boolaroo, Speers Point, Warners Bay, Eleebana and Valentine" Mr Piper said. "If this was approved for Blackalls Park it could happen anywhere in Lake Macquarie," he added. Posted 20 March 2009 NRMA Funding for Safety and Environment Greg Piper, Member for Lake Macquarie, is encouraging local organisations to apply for funding through the 2009 NRMA Insurance Community Grants Programme. The grants offer between $500 and $5,000 to groups undertaking projects in areas of crime prevention, road safety, emergency readiness and response and climate change, with applications open until Tuesday 31st March 2009. According to Mr Piper, the crime prevention grants aim to increase safety and security in local communities by reducing the opportunity for crime, while the road safety grants will support grants that aim to create a positive safety impact and which will most likely lead to behavioural changes. Emergency readiness and response grants will aim to reduce incidents of damage to property and people during storms, fires or other hazardous situations and help prepare for disasters or emergencies. Environment grants will focus on climate change, renewable energy and carbon reduction. "Groups working on any of these important issues can apply for a grant," said Mr Piper. "I thank the NRMA for making this funding available." Posted 20 March 2009 AWARD NOMINATIONS FOR COMMUNITY WORKERS Greg Piper, Member for Lake Macquarie, is encouraging people to recognise and celebrate the contribution made by people working in local community groups by encouraging nominations for the $5000 Alcoa Foundation 2009 Outstanding Community Worker Award. "We so often see people who tirelessly contribute to our community - not for the money they are paid, but because they're committed," Mr Piper said. "They give their all for their organisations, often with little recognition." "These awards are a chance to make sure these workers no longer remain the unsung heroes of Lake Macquarie. This is your opportunity to give them the recognition they deserve." The award is open to any paid worker from any community organisation. The winner will receive $5000 to spend on his or her own choice of professional capacity building. The money can be spent on education and training, attending relevant conferences, paying for relevant books or subscriptions - whatever the worker needs to prepare them for the next level of excellence. The Outstanding Community Worker Award is an initiative of the Alcoa Foundation and Our Community, which provides resources, training, advice and tools for Australia's 700,000 community groups and schools. Our Community CEO, Rhonda Galbally AO, said she was delighted that the Alcoa Foundation was once again supporting the unsung heroes of the community. "The Alcoa Foundation Outstanding Community Worker Award generated a huge response when it was first offered in 2007. Nominations came in from all over the country containing stories of hard work, integrity, compassion and perseverance," she said. "We are thrilled that once again there is an opportunity to recognise the community sector worker who best exemplifies the sector's ideals of dedication, excellence, and service." Nomination forms and information can be found at www.ourcommunity.com.au/communityworkeraward. Entries close on Friday, April 24, 2009. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT EXPENDITURE Clubs that earn over $1 million annually in gaming machine revenue provide funding for community projects and services, and in turn receive dollar-for-dollar gaming tax deductions. Approximately $300,000 from registered clubs in Lake Macquarie is available to local community groups this year, with the closing date for applications being 1 May 2009. CDSE Guidelines and Funding Categories Full details on the operation of the scheme are contained within the CDSE Guidelines. Applicants should read the new guidelines to determine whether they are eligible for CDSE funding. There are two funding categories under the CDSE Scheme: |
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