Community Consultative Committees in Muswellbrook Shire

Community consultative committees (CCC) have been established for each of the major mining and power generation projects operating in Muswellbrook Shire. Muswellbrook Shire Council may also establish a Community Consultative Committee for other developments that have significant community concerns from their operation.

The role of community consultative committee

A community consultative committee may be required as a Condition of Development Consent (DC) from Council or the Department of Planning. The purpose of a community consultative committee is to provide a forum for open discussion between representatives of the operating company, the community, the council and other stakeholders on issues directly relating to the mine’s operations, environmental performance and community relations, and to keep the community informed on these matters.

The committee provides a forum to:

establish good working relationships between the company, the community and other stakeholders in relation to the mine
provide for the ongoing communication of information on mining operations and the environmental performance of the mine, including:
on project assessment including scoping of issues for assessment and comment
on the implementation of conditions of approval, the mining operations plan and any other management plans (including rehabilitation and mine closure plans)
the results of environmental monitoring
annual environmental management reports
outcomes of audit reports (including audits required as a condition of approval)
provide an opportunity for comment on the mine’s environmental performance
discuss community concerns and review the resolution of community complaints
discuss how best to communicate relevant information on the mine and its environmental performance to the broader community, and
work together towards outcomes of benefit to the mine, immediate neighbours and the local and regional community

Becoming a community consultative committee member

Council advertises for nominations from members of the community to become part of these committees when vacancies become available. A nominee then completes the nomination form, these forms are then forwarded to the respective company/committee for consideration. Nominations are then be published in Council’s Business Paper (a public document) for consideration and adoption in the Council ordinary meeting.

Muswellbrook Shire Council's role

Muswellbrook Shire Council appoints people to the committee. The Council will call for nominations from time to time but will also consider nominations for any CCC that has vacancies.

If you have any questions about the committee of an individual operation you can contact that operation or Council’s Environment and Natural Resources Manager on 6549 3775.

Current consultative committees for Muswellbrook Shire operations

This page last updated 28 March, 2012 12:57 PM