I'm nowhere near Gladstone, but I have a lot of exposure to the planning & approval process for Australian mines. Firstly, it is unlikely that the mine manger has less power in the modern era than they did in the days of old. Mine managers wield enormous power under law and in practice. Secondly, the real issue here is likely that nobody cares about small limestone mines, but the economies of scale in Gladstone are s…
Yes, local goverment still have power and no, the state goverment don't have absolute power when the contract has been deal.