"The Draft North Coast Regional Plan provides the high level strategic policy, planning and decision-making framework to guide the region to sustainable growth over the next 20 years."

"The current exploration licence in the Valla area was first approved in 2007.

"The original scope of the licence was some 12,300ha and since then the footprint has significantly reduced to 3000ha focused on the Valla quarry where a significant deposit of Molybdenum has been discovered."

"The identified mineral resource under exploration, Molybdenum is used in the production of a number of metal alloys, solar cells and medical imaging."

She said no application to move into production had been submitted and any application would include community consultation.

Although not able to be at the April 28 meeting, Mrs Pavey and other North Coast MPs will meet Planning Minister Rob Stokes regarding the draft plan in early May.

"Mrs Pavey will raise the communities concerns directly with the minister then."

See www.nambuccaguardian.com.au for report of the April 14 Nambucca Shire Council meeting.