The Commission feel that the 4th clause in the present Act, relating to the spacing of cut-throughs, should be amended to admit of any convenient or safe system of mining being pursued. This is a matter of detail that would be better out of the Act. The Commission would advise that the word should not occur at all, and that, if bratticing be used, or the air by some other satisfactory device be conveyed to the face, scope would be given to Managers to introduce systems of mining adapted to the circumstance of each particular coal-seam, with advantage to all concerned.

Planning for Access to Potentially Isolated Communities
The challenges faced by Dungog Council in resolving the Torryburn access issue resulted in
extended delays that impacted adversely on the Torryburn community. The issue arose
because the community is accessed by a single access route. The challenges faced by Dungog
Council could well be experienced again in future events for similar communities with single
means of access. Emergency access options for such communities, including alternate routes
or transport means to be utilised in an emergency, should be considered in local emergency
plans. In addition, the criteria, likely requirement for, and means of re-supply during the
recovery phase should be clarified.

Telecommunications and Power Infrastructure
Noting the high reliance within the community on power and telecommunications
infrastructure, there would be benefit for Governments at both State and Federal level to
work with power providers and telecommunications companies to better define disaster
response and recovery responsibilities, and to identify options for increasing redundancies in
networks in order to improve surety of service

Ensure effective flood gauging arrangements in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley

Establish a dedicated group or body within an existing agency to provide a more integrated, coordinated and regional approach to land use, infrastructure and evacuation planning and flood modelling in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley.

Ensure appropriate consideration of flood risk in regional and subregional planning

Improve regional transport infrastructure to address current and projected flood evacuation capacity constraints and timelines.

Provide improved land use planning tools for managing flood prone land.

Optimise the configuration of a raised Warragamba Dam for flood mitigation of the full range of flood events and water supply, with due consideration of upstream impacts.

Develop a NSW Planning Policy and Guideline to improve land use planning practices on flood prone land.

Determine the appropriateness and the steps required to allow the reduction of full supply level by up to five metres and/or the implementation of alternative gate operation at Warragamba Dam for the mitigation of minor to moderate flood events in the short-term.

Ensure future road infrastructure planning considers flood evacuation requirements throughout the Hawkesbury-Nepean floodplain.

Where possible to build stone or brick fireplaces for the use of travellers, teamsters, and drovers on the camping areas that are mostly used and where there is a risk of fire.

To burn camping areas at suitable water and camping reserves.

To burn, where necessary, at least 33 feet where there is a risk of fire, on the outside of the railway fence, in conjunction with the railway employees.

To link up fallow paddocks and natural fire breaks by ploughing or burning breaks through private or public property, roads, &c.

That burning off by "occupiers" on any lands be regulated by permit or by regulation.

The Commission recommends that the provisios of section 185 of the "Mining Act 1905" relating to exits from coal mines be extended to metalliferous mines employing more than 20 men in any one shift.