Don’s up for the challenge

January 19, 2012

Ensuring a portion of mining royalties “returns to the regions” is the top priority for NSW’s Association of Mining Related Councils, according to Chair Colleen Fuller and new Executive Officer Don Tydd.

“Our number one priority this year is to go after mining ‘royalties for the regions’ and ensure that happens,” Mrs Fuller said.

Mr Tydd, who was officially welcomed to the role on Tuesday, said there are plenty of challenges in the year ahead for the association.

“Our main challenge is the recognition of mining industries and the role they play in regional areas,” Mr Tydd said.

“Part of our role is to investigate and monitor these developments,” he said.

Mr Tydd has a background in local government and regional development and has had an association with all three levels of government.

He lived in Gunnedah until 1979 before settling in Armidale, where he currently resides.

Mr Tydd will work closely with Colleen Fuller, who was named as Chair of the Association late last year. He took over from Margaret MacDonald-Hill, who was in the role for 13 years.

“It is a wonderful organisation that has achieved a lot of things over its three decades,” outgoing Executive Officer, Margaret MacDonald-Hill, said.

“There have been a lot of highlights during my time with the Association including policy change,” she said.

The Association’s first meeting of the year will be held in Coonabarabran on February 10 and will include guest speaker Rick Wilson from the Australian Petroleum Industry Association.