Meeting searches for right way to divide land

The Land Management Plan was revealed by Cobbora Holding Company secretary Richard Outridge alongside Cobbora Transition Committee chair Troy Grant and member for Barwon Kevin Humphries.

The meeting was the second of three held throughout October 9 with the first attended by representatives of the four councils affected by the delay of the mine development, and the third open to community members.

Concerns were raised by landholders about the proposal for the 26,000 hectares of agricultural land at the mine site to be divided into 13 parcels to be tendered to licensees.

No maps were available at the meeting to illustrate the proposed division of land.

The proposal is now under review by Cobbora Holding Company.

"We are still reviewing that and we will consult with previous landholders,'' Mr Outridge told the Daily Liberal yesterday.

The crowd was also told that licence agreements would be for five years with an available five-year extension as part of the Land Management Plan.

A three-month notice clause is included with the licence agreements.

"The structure of the licences wont be looked at," Mr Outridge said.

"When the properties go out to tender the draft licence goes out with it."

The first tenders of the licences could take place as early as the end of this month but that could change.

Dunbogan Merino Stud had belonged to the family of Nigel Roberts for about 100 years before it was sold to Cobbora Holding Company.

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Mr Roberts and his family, who are currently leasing the property, were some of many to come to the landholders meeting seeking answers.

"My question was probably associated with security going forward," he said.

"I think it is a bit of a work in progress."

Landholder Mark Dent still owns high property but about eight neighbours sold their land and left the area.

"We are really concerned about the community, we are on the edge of the mine," he said.

"We currently have one neighbour left and the rest is mine."

Warrumbungle deputy mayor Murray Coe said there were many issues Cobbora Holding Company still had to consult landholders about.

"Just the fact that that many turned up suggests they don't have things quite right," he said.

"There was quite a bit of angst.

"It is going to take time to come up with a format that is acceptable."