About GRIP
What is GRIP·
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GRIP is ordinary, concerned, residents who support Gloucester Council in the removal of Gloucester Resources Limited (GRL) coal exploration licences. (GRL is not to be confused with Gloucester Coal.)
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GRIP is NOT anti-mining or anti-gas.
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GRIP supports balanced development - mining, tourism, gas, agriculture and environment.
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GRIP is not affiliated with any other community group or political party.
Our Concern
The Gloucester community is fighting to defend itself from the looming prospects of coal mining on its doorstep.
The township itself is surrounded on three sides by coal exploration licences.
Gloucester Resources Ltd is now exploring within a few kilometres of town and adjacent to new residential subdivisions and, despite repeated calls, has given no convincing statement of intent.
Minister Ian Macdonald, whose portfolio in 2009, included Primary Industries, wanted community opinion to be 'hosed down'. In 2009 he renewed the three exploration licences for another three years, until 2012. With the threat of a coal mine on our doorstep, the NSW Government has given GRL not only a licence to explore for coal but a licence to buy land from intimidated farmers and retirees.
The state government's position is to approve mining if at all feasible. Recent decisions affecting other high value agricultural land and local communities confirm their blind support of mining interests.
WHO WE ARE:
GRIP is a group of ordinary residents of the Gloucester Shire. GRIP has no political affiliations or agenda. Some members are directly affected by GRL's coal exploration. Others are not but share concern for the welfare of friends and the defence of Gloucester and its environment.
OUR OBJECTIVE:
"That the three exploration licences 6523, 6524 and 6563 are permanently removed and no coal mining occurs in those areas EVER."
OUR VISION
The Gloucester community's vision is to continue vibrant, sustainable development which relies on a balance of ‘nature-dependent' industries: food, dairy, beef, tourism, water management, ‘tree changers' and related commercial development.
OUR VALUES
- To uphold Gloucester's environment, industry balance and way of life
- To foster a caring supportive community regardless of the position or views of individuals
- To take a non-political position
- To give the community frank and fearless information
- To defend individual property holders' rights and needs against unfair decisions and actions
- To be sensitive to community opinion and suggestions
Our Immediate Concern
Our community is at a cross road to its future. Whilst GRL has purchased a significant amount of land and is involved in agricultural pursuits ( Gloucester Advocate 21/1), it cannot be ignored that GRL is a coal exploration company. GRL is actively exploring for coal in areas that are, in our opinion much too close to towns, schools, our local hospital, rivers, the residents of our community and productive farmland. We believe that to proceed with mining in these areas would be a catastrophic mistake, one that would scar the unique environment of Gloucester and surrounds for generations.
Our Vision
GRIP believes that we must act together as a community to:
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Protect our quality of life - now and for our children
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Protect our existing rural, agricultural, food producing land
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Protect our growing tourism industry and promote Gloucester as the gateway to the Barrington Tops World Heritage Area
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Protect and preserve our unique beauty (rivers, mountains, bushland, wildlife) for future generations
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Drive a change in government thinking. The State Government advocates that if a "resource is there it should be harvested". This proposition ignores the wider reaching social, economic and environmental implications. GRIP seeks a sustainable balance which supports the community's wider needs.