BY HOLLY FISHLOCK
From July 1 next year, Hunter coal mines will be paying more royalties under a new scheme announced by the state government.
Royalties will increase by 2.6%, a move which has been slammed by Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell.
While the NSW Government says the 2.6 percent increase will ensure the state receives a fair return for its resources, Mr. Layzell calls the increase an "outrageous lazy effort" to fund future budgets.
Mr. Layzell says the people of Singleton and Muswellbrook have been overlooked, despite providing over 50 percent of the state's annual coal royalty revenue.
"This is the time when we need the best infrastructure in NSW. In many regards, we don't have it up to normal standard. It's about making sure that royalties benefit those areas that earn them," Mr. Layzell said.
Mr. Layzell also reflected on the current scheme, saying it needs to be reworked to benefit areas bringing in significant amounts of revenue.
"The royalty system has been the same for a long time. It certainly needs to be looked at about how that system works for those areas that are actually earning the money," he said.
