This websites "reason for being" - initially anyway....
As is happening in many parts of Australia, there is currently a "mining exploration licence" covering some 25 sq Km in the Stroud / Allworth area of NSW Australia. The miners claim that they are interested in a mineral used predominately in the coal industry called "Magnetite".
The area they claim to be interested in is a small privately owned mountain called "Ironstone mountain" - the area under licence however expands to cover a whole community of small acreage "hobby farmers" and those who simply wish to live in a quiet, pleasant, and currently pristine piece of Australia. There is a great range of bush land, pasture, and wetland in the area blessed by good rainfall. The area is habitat to a vast range of wildlife - from koalas and sugar gliders to black cockatoos and sea eagles and king parrots. It is truly paradise.
The threat of an open cut mine is of concern to most of this community, except of course those who see financial gain at the expense of the certain destruction of their surrounding environment affecting all in the area.
Despite claims of "stringent controls over mining activities" Governments and local councils support this destruction in the name of "economic benefit". There is any amount of evidence that all these claims are false with the mining companies essentially free to do as they please.
It would appear that, apart from fair and reasonable compensation to all affected if mining is necessarily undertaken, if communities wish to prevent the loss of their environment, living standards, and way of life, they must group together and lobby Governments, councils and any other parties in every way possible to present their case.
People power is the only way
Update: As of September 2008, there is anecdotal evidence that the current exploration licence holder has completed the exploration task and has decided not to proceed with the mine. However, no official notice has been given and it does not mean that another party will not proceed. It is all still very uncertain but looking better. Whether community lobbying had any influence or not will never be known. However, it can only help.