Opponents to mining in the Clarence River catchment are thrilled at the responses from all four hopefuls who responded to The Clarence Catchment Alliance’s questions at last week’s ‘meet the candidates’ night for the seat of Clarence.

With all voicing strong support for the Clarence catchment to be declared off-limits to mining, and the 100% support received from federal candidates for the seat of Page last year, the will of the people is now abundantly clear.

Add the Clarence Valley Council’s call to State Parliament to halt mining, and support received from the neighbouring councils of Bellingen, Byron, Coffs Harbour, Glen Innes Severn, and Kyogle, this again reinforces the lack of social licence for anyone actively planning to mine or explore for minerals in the area.

However, the Clarence Catchment Alliance, and others in the electorate, are acutely aware that words alone are not enough, especially where party politics are concerned, and a candidate must have the support of his/her party colleagues, or the words are worthless.

Given regional NSW has been earmarked as a mineral mining exploration hot spot by the current NSW Government, party as well as candidate policy and views must be considered on this issue.

We would expect the successful candidate to make a commitment to proactively campaign on the issue once elected and have sought assurances from their party that that will be the case.

The Clarence Catchment Alliance will be seeking feedback from each candidate on their party’s support.